Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning lovely ladies. 

And another lovely day, although a little cooler.  Never mind, it's still pleasant and the weather is set fair for at least the next week so I'm going to enjoy our Indian Summer and make the most of it.  

Love the filing cabinet, Maman.  

Well another day of preparation for my voluntary lockdown.  Today I will go to Asda. As well as stocking up I am also compiling a list of things I want to do and achieve over the next few months.    Just need to keep busy and stay positive.  😁 

Last time we went into lockdown I set myself the task of revamping the kitchen.  It was a huge task. I achieved my goal but I got sick of painting - literally, my digestive system rebelled because I am very sensitive to paint fumes and for a lot of the time I felt quite ill.    I reached a stage where I really resented the process. But hey I did It and the results are great.  

One of the reasons I regained weight during lockdown is because I was comfort eating, trying not to aggravate my tummy.  And of course a lot of the time the kitchen was in a state of upheaval and proper cooking had to take a back seat. I relied on a lot of quick easy and often quite unhealthy meals. The weight gain wasn't all down to wine and chocolate. Honest. 😂🤣

This time I don't have such a huge project in mind.  I have a few bits and pieces to paint and a few diy tasks I would like to tackle but they are small projects and I can do as much or as Little at a time, without exhausting myself.  I will have more time and energy to pay attention to diet and exercise.  The kitchen is finished now and properly organised, so cooking healthy meals will be easier. And of course no paint fumes to contend with so my tummy won't need placating.  

So.....this time the project will be me, doing things for pleasure, enjoyment and personal development.  Ive decided I want to do some kind of studying to keep my brain working. I'm not bothered about gaining any formal qualifications or passing exams, it's just for my own satisfaction.  I'll start looking over the next few days,  ideally I want them to be free or low cost of course.  

Has anyone done anything like this.......what are your experiences, Can you recommend any good providers.  I would love to pick your brains, 🤪. 

I think I would like to do courses in Lifecoaching, Nutrition and maybe a language. I could do with brushing up my Spanish.  I have a smattering of Italian, French and Spanish and would love to improve all 3.  But I think that's rather ambitious. So for now I think Spanish would be the most useful - just in case I ever get to visit Venezuela.  The family keep inviting me and I've also been invited to Costa Rica. 

  I just need to get over my fear of flying......😉

chanie

Morning fabbers, 

I have a groupon massage booked today, so I’m looking forward to some more pampering.  

I’m now thinking about my final days of ‘freedom’ before I start my new job.  Although I don’t have a start date yet, I suspect it will only have 1-2 weeks.  My plan is to meet up with a friend, complete the remaining jobs around the house and maybe a wander around the shops.  I will need to invest in a face mask to wear on my commute to work.  So far, I’ve used disposables (which I have reused many times, as I haven’t needed to wear them for long periods of time), but I will need something a bit more robust to wear on public transport. I’m hoping to find a lovely patterned one. 

michair

really helpfull. thank you so much

Wednesday2000

I did a free online mindfulness course in lockdown but I think my psychologist told me about it. I've never done any other online courses.

I really like that new hand held vacuum. With pet fur and strewn cat litter it is much easier to keep the place clean. It is quicker to use than my normal vacuum cleaner and obviously much lighter to hold. I don't know why I didn't think to get one sooner!

I've done laundry, tidying up and general decluttering today. I am making up a bag to take to the chazzer next week. I have my chiropodist appointment Monday in an area I haven't been to in quite a while so I am going drop the bag off and also look around the charity shops near that area. I was reading what trends there are for Autumn/winter this year. Autumn/Winter 2020 Trends: The New Fashion Looks to Know | Who What Wear UK The colour gold is meant to be popular. I haven't got anything in that colour. Maybe I could look for a gold hand bag. I might look for a knitted vest as that would be good for keeping your core warm if we get a cold winter.

I got my period today and I realised that was why I fell off the diet wagon the past couple of days as I must have had PMT. I'm back on the straight and narrow again. Wheat cereal for breakfast and I'm going to batch cook some lentil bolognese for the next few days.

I have my last CBT session tomorrow. It's going to be weird not talking to her every week as I have been seeing her since the start of the year. This has been such a strange year and it's not over yet!

helensbiggestfan

Meant to tell you.....

had a very happy/sad evening yesterday.  Some of you will know about my darling Aunty S, not my real aunt but a very strong presence in my life.  I won't go into all the reasons why but suffice it to say I had a somewhat unusual childhood.   I believe social services would call it chaotic.😉. 

Anyway Aunty S was in many ways almost a second mother to me, she was certainly my best friend, my anchor, guide and mentor. I adored her.  She had three children who became my surrogate brother and sisters.  Both Aunty S and one of her daughters are now unfortunately deceased and over the years I lost contact with my other pretend siblings.  I have been trying to trace them for several years but kept hitting a brick wall.  

I knew my pretend brother was beginning to show signs of dementia, and I suspected he had been taken into care.  Anyway ........unbeknown to me my pretend sister had also been trying to contact me.  Last night we finally made it, 🥂💃.  We had a lovely long chat and the years just rolled away.  It was so lovely to be reunited with her.  She is now 80 and in fine fettle. Sadly, as I had guessed,  my pretend brother is in a care home suffering from advanced dementia. He has just been diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer and has approximately 3 weeks.  He's 77. 

We can't go to see him because of Covid restrictions........😥.  

So a somewhat bittersweet evening. I am so thrilled and happy to have found my pretend sister but heartbroken to realise  that I will never see my pretend brother again. I adored all my pretend siblings but he was unashamedly my favourite. 

Hey ho......that's life.  Another curved ball.  

Anyway, after the pandemic is over I can at least look forward to visiting my pretend big sister and spending time with her.  Hopefully next year.  And of course, there are all my pretend siblings children and grandchildren too.

 I suddenly have a whole new family......😁  Out of sadness, comes joy. 

thepurplepixie

FreetodoasIlike said:

Sheila - your husband will be a “silent key”. My thoughts are with you.  My OH was a radio amateur when I met him aged 25. He is now 79 (I am now 64).  He built a Morse code sending device many years ago and it’s a beautiful and a lovely and decorative piece.  I don’t know if it still functions as such but if he dies before me this is what I will remember him - a “silent” key. Even if your late husband didn’t pursue his Morse code qualification I think that’s how all radio amateurs are remembered  by. Sending you hugs. 

I never did my morse code but my husband did.  Sheila your husband did his exam the year before me, I'm a G7.

I'm sure other people will think we are talking about something very strange, I knew nothing about amateur radio until my husband introduced me to it.  The thing that annoys me is when people think it is CB.

maman

That's a lovely story LL. Going to see your 'sister' is something nice to look forward to. 😊

It must feel good chanie to have a few days to enjoy yourself, knowing that you have a job all set up. I've got 3 home made cloth masks which are fine for going into shops or short journeys of public transport but I might look for something else if I had to wear them daily like you. I also carry a disposable just in case. Probably in case I'm with someone who needs one or DH forgot his and he wouldn't want to wear my leopard print one!🤣 I've put a spare purse in my handbag and have the masks folded into bank bags. Thanks for the reminder, I'll look at Groupon. I fancy some pampering. 😉

Good luck with shopping in the CSs in a different area Wednesday. That's something I enjoy too. I tried a chiropodist in my immediate local area during lockdown rather than go into the city centre. The appointment was 45 mins for the same price as 30 in town and she was very good so I'll use her again.

I managed to just gain 2 lbs between the last week in January until I went back to SW on on 3rd September. I then had a very careful week and lost the 2 lbs by last Thursday. One of the things that's helped me in lockdown is the pattern/routine  of making a meal plan, shopping list (to get in and out of shop PDQ)  and enjoying good food.  Obviously there are the health benefits too but they're just a bonus. 😁 I find eating healthily and frugally is a  a good challenge. 

helensbiggestfan

Well done Maman on the weight maintenance.  Brilliant. 

And yes I am so thrilled to have my "sister" back in my life.  She's 80 and still amazing.  She has been living in New York but is now back in the UK.  Although she's not a blood relative I love her to bits and because she is 11 years older I idolised her when I was little.  She was so glamourous and had more than a passing resemblance to Jackie O. She is still fashion mad and still likes to glam up even though she is 80. Always elegant though, never mutton.  She always had class and style.   I know her, she  will be reaching for the lippy when she's on her death bed. She's very religious so she will want to look her best when she goes to meet her maker.  😂

Well that's it......all stocked up.  Spent a small fortune but as it's unlikely that I will be spending much time in shops over the next few months, it will all balance out.  The freezer and food cupboards are bulging plus the spare bedroom has become another storage area. I certainly won't need cleanjng materials or toiletries for several months,  Plenty of non perishables and long life items.  And enough tea and coffee to open a cafe. 😂. 

I did notice the shelves weren't very full, quite a lot of gaps - stocks of the usual culprits, rice, pasta, biscuits, tinned soups, loo rolls etc seemed very low. I also noticed a lot of people seemed to be buying essentials such as pulses, lentils, cereals, baking supplies and of course cleaning stuff. 

The checkout lady said it was definitely busier this week and her line manager was standing close by and she said  "yeah the virus is heading our away again, people are getting prepared". 

Anyway just thought I'd let you know,  

I treated myself to some "one mile" bits and bobs, three pairs of lounging soft trousers/joggers and a nice pair of warm pjs.  (Pjs are for indoors only......you won't find me in a supermarket in my Jim jams, no matter how nice they are).😱😂

So just my hair tomorrow and Superdrug, eye test on Friday and I'm done. Still not had confirmation about my flu jab, so I assume it's next Saturday rather than this week.  

It's all good, I think I'm mentally prepared now.  At first I was rather disappointed and concerned about facing another stint of solitary but I'm ok with it now,  DS, DIL, GS and I will keep to our little bubble so I won't be entirely alone, and For everyone else there's technology.....not forgetting you fabulous ladies. 😉 

You can be my window onto the outside world ......😁

Wednesday2000

I think I forgot to say on here that I found my first grey hair a few days ago! I am going to be 45 next year, I suppose it is to be expected at my age. My husband went grey in his thirties but I dye his hair and it looks fine.

I was having an online discussion about why so many women over a certain age cut their hair into a short style? I still have past my shoulder length hair and I don't intend to cut it short when I'm older. I was wondering if it was a question of short hair being easier to maintain, whether hair gets more brittle as women age or is it a social thing where older women aren't supposed to have long hair?

What do you ladies think?

chanie

Wednesday you are very lucky for getting your first grey hair at 44.  I got mine in my early 30s.  I think having children make you go grey quicker because I know a few people who have gone grey quicker than their older childless siblings.
With regards to cutting hair, I’m sure it was something to do with framing your face so you don’t look so old, or something.

maman great work on loosing your weight gain so quickly.  Goes to show that it does work.

helen how lovely for you to catch up with family like that.

im back from my massage, it was very enjoyable.   It’s lovely being able to have a slow stroll in the sun, without having to take a jacket or having to rush.