Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

sugarbaby125

Chanie, your sunflowers are a real majestic sight to behold 

thepurplepixie

The sunflowers are lovely and I think the painting is done as well.  You are putting some of us (me!) to shame.  I must get off my backside today and do something.  Anything.

maman

Not sure why but haven't posted much in the past few days but I'm reading along and enjoying the thread as ever. 🙂 I think sharing experiences with our virtual friends on here has been more valuable than ever when we've been in lockdown. 🙂

I've managed to get out and do something every day this week so far culminating this afternoon with my weekly trip to Aldi! 🤣 I think you're right pixie, doing something (anything ) is important. I know that as lockdown has dragged on and become more monotonous my mood has lowered. I think it's about having too much time on my hands to dwell on every little ache and pain or the state of the universe or whatever. I definitely need distraction. 

Monday I tried the new, local podiatrist and was very pleased. I'll definitely go to her again. My feet are looking and feeling  lovely. I will paint my nails as I think they look better with polish in the summer.  Not sure if anyone saw the photo of Suranne Jones in hr shed. I was immediately drawn to her feet.
 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-8573013/Suranne-Jones-Katie-McGlynn-lead-nominees-posing-home-BAFTAs-virtual-photo-shoot.html

And your shed is much tidier chanie! 😁

Tuesday, my dance group met up for an outdoor session. We had a great time. It was good to get dressed for something special too. My muscles have ached since but it was worth it.  Other days I've just popped out to local shops  but it did get me out of the house.  I've noticed lots of gaps on shelves too. I think some of it is supply problems but I do wonder if we're seeing effects of another wave of stockpiling as well. ☹ 

I've been making myself read for a while each day too. Sometimes I start a book and can't put it down but others can be hard work. This one is hard work but I will persevere. 

Absolutely baking hot here today. I've gradually been taking more of my sunshine holiday clothes out  of their box. Today will definitely be a sleeveless dress. Stay safe all. 😎

helensbiggestfan

On Monday it will be the 6th anniversary of my husbands death.  Sunflowers were his favourite. So in his honour..........

chanie

purple I’m only doing what I can whilst I’m not working.  I’m not normally that motivated.  Between working full time and sorting out the children, house fabbing gets pushed way down my priority list.  I’ve enjoyed the time I’ve been able to dedicate on sprucing up our  home.  Even better, it only cost about £300.
purple I was thinking about your antique electronics this morning, as I was decluttering.  OH has some old computer consoles from the 1980s that he wants to keep. I just keep thinking to myself ‘they could eventually be worth a lot of money’ (repeat x5). The problem I have with keeping stuff like that is that unless you take an interest in the items, it just becomes a ‘box of clutter’.   I have condensed the items down  to 1 box, so it’s easier to store, so I’m happy for now. 

helensbiggestfan

Good morning lovely ladies. Or so should that be afternoon.  

It's glorious here,  at the moment a nice breeze so not too humid.  I'm having a day off. No work.  Just enjoying a rest, with my book, sitting mainly in the shade.  I was up early, giving my DIL a ride to the hospital for a 7.30 appt.  It coincided with DS taking the LO to nursery and obviously we are avoiding taxis at the moment.  Anyway it was lovely at that time, cool and hardly any traffic, despite having to criss cross the city.  Normally 7.30 to 9.00 would be peak time and the roads would have been hell.  Lockdown does have some positives..........even though traffic has increased somewhat  the air is so clean and fresh.  No air traffic either to speak of.  

I was only discussing this yesterday with DS1. I think we are going to see a fundamental shift in The way we work and live.  A lot of employers are now saying they are happy to continue with some home working, maybe just having staff in a couple of days a week.  Even his employers (not known for radical forward thinking, putting it mildly😁) have grasped the concept.  

Obviously it won't work for all jobs but for those who can work that way then it will be a huge step forward.......better work life balance, better for the environment and cheaper for employers.  And as the high streets shrink then redundant shops and offices will revert to residential status.  It will all take time of course but it's coming......at last.  It's what environmentalists have been preaching for decades.  Just a pity it had to take Covid to make it happen.

Maman......did you watch Phil Spencer's Stately Homes.  This week it was Chatsworth.  It was fascinating and the numbers were mind boggling.  I can't remember the exact figure quoted, but as I'm sure you can imagine, they have been meticulous with their accounting over the generations so they know exactly what was spent.   Allowing for inflation and current values Chatsworth so far has cost, around £3billion, give or take. As I say I didn't quite catch the exact amount.  And that didn't include the furnishing, artworks etc. 😅  No wonder it's such a marvel.  I wonder how costs compare to say Blenheim Or Castle Howard. And heres me worrying about my renovation budget. 😂🤣.  I haven't watched any of the other programmes in the series but I shall definitely try and watch some more.  

Another one my favourites is Escape to the Chateau. A lovely old French chateau which has been renovated on a shoe string by D i c k  Strawbridge and Angel Whatsherface.  Is there anything that that couple can't do, they are so clever and accomplished.  

Still no skip.  I'm going to have to try another company.  I'll wait till Monday and then hit the phones. 

Time for brunch and then back to my book.  I'm another one.  I either can't put it down and zip through it in record time or I struggle and it takes me an age.  I guess that's what they mean by "page turner". 😂🤣.  This one is just light chick lit.  Not usually my cup of tea but sometimes you just need to chill with something light. 

As I said it's the anniversary of my husbands death on Monday so I am studiously avoiding anything which you could lower my mood.  My reading and tv viewing has to be light, frothy and frivolous this weekend.   

chanie

helensbiggestfan said:

On Monday it will be the 6th anniversary of my husbands death.  Sunflowers were his favourite. So in his honour..........

Well in that case, I will dedicate my sunflowers to your family, if you don’t mind.  

helensbiggestfan

Thank you Chanie.....that's lovely.  

Yours are really fab aren't they.  I bet your neighbours love them.  

You have done really well using your time off so productively.  Even better on such a small budget.  😁. 

helensbiggestfan

It's hotting up outside now.  It actually makes me feel quite lethargic but one day off won't upset the apple cart.  I was on granny duty yesterday And I think I deserve a rest.....he's adorable but it was a full on day ......I still haven't put everything back to rights😂......Mañana.  

Fabbing wise......does anyone find their skin doesn't like surgical masks.   Mine is getting quite congested... I am having to up the cleansing routines and have more regular Deep cleaning face packs. The other day I tried wearing a N95 mask when I went to the hairdressers. My DIL was so anxious for my safety I wore it to put her mind at rest.  I sat there in the hairdressers and I thought I was going to faint.  I was so hot and I felt I could hardly breathe.  The hairdresser gave me a surgical one to use instead.    Has anyone tried using the shields.  I thought I might get a couple to try.  

chanie

Helen from what you have posted about your DH, it sounds like he has a great sense of humour and I hope he would have enjoyed the fact that I’m dedicating my sunflowers to him because my own extended family are unimpressed 😂.

Ive heard from others that the face masks are causing their skin to misbehave.  I haven’t found that myself, but I only wear mine in shops and I wear it under my chin when I’m in between shops.     I would guess it’s probably due to all the (normal) mouth bacteria getting over everyone faces as they breathe.  

Apparently, we now need to wear masks in Church.  That will probably be the longest I will have had to wear a mask for.