Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

sugarbaby125

Shelia hugs to you on the anniversary of your husband's birthday. Take care of yourself 

Wednesday2000

I just ordered groceries from Sainsbury's for the weekend. I want to cut out bread and alcohol almost completely for a while as well as eating lower carb. I don't think bread suits me (although I love it) and I could probably do with a break from drinking too.

The dye is arriving this afternoon and I have a collection of clothes to dye purple. I also bought some black dye to refresh the colour of my husband's combat trousers as they go much greyer after a lot of washing. I will do the purple today and the black tomorrow, I think.

It's been pouring down all morning. I don't think I'm even going to bother going for a walk today. I'm just going to make another cup of green tea to warm up.

sugarbaby125

maddiemay said:

Sugarbaby I totally take your comments on board, I know it happens and it is completely unacceptable.  Due to the proximity of the home to my SSis's house she knows the majority of the staff well from her previous work in schools, nursery schools, work with young adults etc, many she has known since they were at nursery and they are now parents themselves, very few Agency staff and those from a regular pool.  We will continue to be as vigilant as we can whilst no visiting under Covid19 restrictions, one of her persistent complaints at present is that she has been moved to another room upstairs, "it might have No X on the door, but it is not my room" makes family have a sad smile as they can be stood at the window of her GF room talking to her whilst she is saying that.

Maddie, thank you for explaining. Your family are looking out for your Mother and it is great that your sister is so near at hand and knows the majority of the staff so well. 

Thank goodness that abusive care workers are in the minority. There were so many really, friendly, caring, professional care workers who care for vulnerable residents in care homes, who cared for my parents 

helensbiggestfan

Well I really had to push myself this morning......I could have cheerfully say around all day, not exactly feeling sorry for myself but just feeling "blah" because I was feeling so stiff and sore, and my fibro  was playing up.  My own stupid fault.....too many carbs this week.

In the end I decided I simply had to get off my derrière. I have learned that if I don't exercise in the morning then I certainly won't do it in the afternoon.  So it was a case of hauling myself out there.  First I took the car out for a run to make sure the battery Stays charged.  If I don't and let her stand idle for too long, she sulks and refuses to start.  😂.  I just drove, I didn't go in any shops.  

Then I went for a brisk walk, then before I had time to think I launched myself into 15 minutes cardio and then 20 minutes tai chi. Actually I do feel better now.  I always do afterwards.  It's just hard sometimes to actually find the motivation.  😉. 

This afternoon I am going to give myself a facial.  Now that we have finished with the strong sunlight I will give myself a light skin peel treatment a couple of times a week for the next 2 to 3 weeks.  I did want to try microdermabrasion at the salon but as I'm still isolating I will just make do with diy treatments for now.  

Time for lunch......a healthy one of course. 😂.   Back on track now.  

Maisie_Moo

So sorry to hear of what you are having to deal with Maddie, it must be a very difficult time for you. My dear MIL had alzheimers and it was very distressing, thankfully she went into a lovely small care home but  glad you are able to keep an eye on your Mum.
I can totally understand how you are feeling about your dog , they are part of the family and for 40 years of our married life we have had dogs, when we lost our last one it hit us really hard, I'm sure you will make the most of him.
Sheila- sending you a big hug.
To think I felt sorry for myself because it was pouring with rain .
Not a lot of fabbing going on except on the house, had a mad cleaning session even tackling the oven which was long overdue.
Apparently the weather is set in for most of the weekend so doesn't look as though I'll be walking far.

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies, 

Conversely the changes my Mother presented with when she was diagnosed with dementia did not render her incapacitated. Her long term memory became sharp and although her short term memory was affected, I did not find her mistakes in the least distressing. I would laugh along with my Mother when she would say things like 'I had a lovely visit with you today, but I do not know who you are' When I would reply 'I am your daughter Dolores' my Mother would laugh out loud at her lack of memory. Yet on the days when her memory did not let her down and she called me Dolores, I was filled with joy. 

My Mother became very tactile and she loved giving and receiving hugs and kisses. She was always a caring and loving Mother when we were children, but she simply did not have enough time to constantly care for our emotional needs, she had to concentrate on getting us fed, clothed and trying to keep us warm. This was not easy, when my Father was a bricklayer who just did not seem to have any spare money. Thank goodness my Mother claimed child benefit for her children. Even by the time I was 3 years old, only my 2 oldest brothers had lives of their own, so my parents still had 10 children to look after.

My Mother's love for my Father was deep and abiding and lasted beyond his death, even though he was not a particularly good husband to her. My Mother was still attractive after the death of my Father and despite her dementia she came into her own. She had 2 younger male admirers in 2 care homes that I knew of who she accepted as her due. She could flirt even in her eighties and be charming when she was being adored by a male admirer.   

I have close to a thousand photos of my Mother, mostly taken in the last 10 years of her life. I also have lots of short videos of my Mother smiling, talking and laughing, especially at her birthday parties or her Mother's day celebrations. I was looking through some of them only last week and cherishing the good memories all over again.

sheilavw

Thank you everyone for your kind messages, I hope that in time it will be easier. It is hard not to feel envy when you see couples. I always thought that we would grow old together and here I am at 58 on my own. At least I have my girls , son in law, Grandson and siblings, sad for people who have no other family.  I did a Tesco shop after work, I finish slightly earlier on a friday, then went and did my 40 length swim. Its just started to rain here, was quite pleasant earlier although not overly warm.

maman

Sending you a big hug sheila, anniversaries are always the hardest times. I'm sure platitudes don't help but just to say I'm thinking of you. 🙂

That's a triple whammy for you maddie, as if lockdown and everything else wasn't enough to cope with. ☹️ All you can do is your best to support everyone and get through it. Life is tough., ☹️

I'd like to go like my parents if I had a choice. My father was out socially one night and the next morning had a massive heart attack and couldn't be revived. Sad for those around him but quick for him. My mother then lived alone for some years and died peacefully in her sitting room. She'd obviously been fine earlier as she'd put the Hoover out ready in the hall, as was her habit, for her weekly cleaner in the morning.

Hard not to give more platitudes but although our conversations bring it back, what I mostly remember some years on is the good times. 😊

I've had a super day today. My dance class started back. Thoroughly enjoyed it despite social distancing. It feels normal and the exercise left me energised. 😔

Wednesday2000

That must have felt really good to get back to your dance class Maman.

I have been dyeing clothes the past few days with varying degrees of success. It always seems like a few items don't take to the dye. I should really start reading the labels beforehand. Most of the clothes came out fine. My husband's combat trousers look black and brand new again.   I am going to keep them separately to his other ones and he can just wear them when we start going back out to concerts etc... and just wear his more faded jeans to work and back. 

I need to go through our wardrobes again actually and look at what we are keeping. I have bought so many new or charity shop buys in a short time that we probably need to declutter.

I broke my dog's insulin bottle last night so I have to go out to the vet to pick up some new ones today. It's still raining here.

I read a really good book yesterday. An Unwanted Guest. - Shari Lapena. It was a murder mystery.

I finished watching Why Women Kill too. I really enjoyed that. I was bawling at some of the episodes, but it was very funny at times too.

maman

That's a good idea redyeing the black trousers Wednesday. I bought a pair of black jeans from Asda a couple of years ago and they were labelled 'stay black' and it's really worked. I'm not sure if they sell them any more though. I have a Bench pair that's really faded but they're so comfortable I'm reluctant to part with them. 

I need to go through the wardrobes again too. I don't think I'll be culling that much but I'll check.  Sometimes I think it's good to see exactly what I do have. I have some summer clothes to put away. Normally I'd get rid of anything I hadn't worn but this summer hasn't been typical so I won't be too drastic. 

I took the two tops back to Asda so I'm still on the lookout for soft loungewear type stuff for indoors. It was another smallish branch so no gold shoes. I might try buying some online. 

I'm feeling so much like my usual self in the past few days. I don't know whether it's because of dancing restarting or what but I suddenly feel brighter and livelier. I have another class starting up on Tuesday (fortnightly)  plus the Friday class. We're also meeting friends (3) for lunch on Wednesday  so that's another thing to look forward to. I'm sure it all helps. 😊

It's horrible here again today, barely stopped raining. I've been pottering about and listening to my team (win😁) on the radio so happy enough indoors. 😁