Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

maman

I'm delighted about Kamala Harris too sugarbaby. I just hope that  the US isn't just getting a short respite. I suspect that the Trumps  will start campaigning very soon to get another  family member into the White House. I do have hope that with younger voters coming along (as they are in this country) that they won't want to return a 'nasty party' to power. 

I agree with what you said about Brighton and Bournemouth (particularly Brighton) being more lively and cosmopolitan pixie but they're also more expensive. I understand exactly what you meant about your children not wanting to be in such an area too. When we moved here, our first choice was a country cottage but we knew we'd be providing a taxi service for the DDs (then teenagers) if we lived out in the sticks. Instead we moved 3 miles from the city centre with great bus and train links . What suited the DDs then suits us brilliantly now. We didn't get our country cottage but we have a very pretty Arts & Crafts type house on an unmade, tree lined  road so we don't feel too urban.  😊

I've had a good pamper today. I'm still getting used to blow drying my hair as its a bit shorter than usual but it looks fine. I felt a bit like a bag lady yesterday too LL. I'd put on an old cardigan (as in so old I've been painting in it) and I could feel my mood going down. I really should throw it in the bin but it's so comfortable. Our preferred temperature indoors is too warm for a jumper and too cold for a short sleeved top. I keep looking for long sleeved tops but cant find just what I want. 🤔 

It's mild but dull here. Roast dinner day. 😋

MrsPorridge

We moved to the seaside 18 years ago.  Best move we ever made at the time.  DS went to a small school with only 50 in the whole school (we moved from London).  DS then went onto study at Oxford University so we couldn't have asked for a better opportunity for him.  He has now moved back to Lodon.

  However, now we are older starting to realise the downside to it.  We live in a small village - dead in winter and inundated with tourists in the summer.  We are 10 mins walk from the most southerly point in Britain.  Its mainly always windy and we get a lot of fog.  It's 12 miles to the nearest decent supermarket - 5 to a small Co-0p.  Our biggest hospital is 27 miles away - as is our nearest train stations.  The buses are one every Michaelmass (sp?). You do need to be able to drive.   I do love the village feel though, and everyone more or less knows everyone else, which is a lovely family-type feel.  However, the lockdown has brought out a spiteful strain - we have an FB group and some of the comments and threads on there during lockdown were dreadful and I stopped reading them.  We do like it here though - DH doesn;t want to move.  To be honest, I would move, but am happy to stay put at the moment and see what gives.

savingfortomorrow

Wednesday- Rent off season if possible to see if you would really like the area and as MrsPorriage said look at the infrastructure- medical care, transport and even a decent road. I have lived in some places that honestly had poor services and a worse local population. I was on secondment and really saw some areas. Unfortunately, some of season resorts are used for housing serious social issues. Sometimes living the next town over to the seaside offers close access but vital commercial, medical and transport links. Its all about going into it with open eyes.

LL- I think we need to banish the one-mile clothes. I understand that we all have the finery that is suitable for weddings and social events but the one-mile clothes for me tend to be one step above a grotty painting t-shirt. It might be worthwhile to have the "I feel comfortable but still stylish clothes". Do a little edit and remove the brown-greiges and anything that drains you. It will give you the best feeling to wear a lovely top in a colour that suits you- daily. This year will be challenging enough without clothes draining us down.

Yesterday I had a similar moment LL- my whites looked more grey and the comfortable dress was too big- shapeless. It made me feel like blah. The only upside was the blah outfit allowed me to do messy work in work without worrying if anything will get damaged. 

Sugar- delighted to read about how your mother would have enjoyed the events.  Well done on the continued weight loss. 

I am sitting waiting on my phone to charge before I do a walk and get in the steps. I listen to podcasts and any recommendations are sincerely welcomed. Each day making better decisions and just trying to be active and get the exposure to daylight. 

Maman- I don't think the trump children will run- they will try and pretend to do so. They will try and maximize revenue by doing trump tv or a similar abomination. they are not the showman the father is. The demographics are changing four years will have less of the boomers and a greater amount of younger people concerned with educational debt and income inequality. I know the senate looks tied but given the age profile- there could be changes. Honestly, who knows- I can't change the world- I can only change the location of my !!!!!! to walk down the road. 

Wednesday2000

LL - You should give the dyeing clothes a go. I deliberately look for beige tops in charity shops as they seem to make the best transformations.

That is very interesting perspectives about the people on here who have moved to the sea.

Saving - I was actually thinking since yesterday about moving to a place next to Brighton, somewhere like Worthing as it might be less busy and less pricey. The thing about London is that it has such a good transport system and I have got a good GP surgery here and a great vet for my pets. It probably will be an adjustment but I really have become sick of living somewhere so urban and busy. 

We have my husband's family living near us at the moment but I don't particularly like them, to be honest. We got a call today saying to expect a call asking us for money as a member of his family has got into debt again with online gambling. I really am going to be glad to get out of this area and make a fresh start. It probably will be a move in 2022 but I have to start planning.

I have a friend who has a flat in Brighton and she really likes it there. Brighton is excellent for vegans and I saw they have meet-up groups that I can join to meet people. My friend who has the flat told me last year that there are a few more people who live in the area that I have met at vegan meet-ups before so maybe I can get back in touch with them. I remember one vegan woman I met a few times lives in Worthing so we might become neighbours.

I have been feeling really bored even though nothing has really changed. I think it seems like there are more people on the streets near here. I'm going to watch the new episodes of Discovery (Star Trek) later.

Wednesday2000

Oh yes, I was so bored that I just walked to a different shop as the guy who works there is quite good looking. He wasn't in there, unfortunately. It looked like his kid brother behind the till. Serves me right, lol.

maman

Wednesday2000 said:

Oh yes, I was so bored that I just walked to a different shop as the guy who works there is quite good looking. 

🤣🤣🤣
I have cousins living in Steyning and Henfield. Neither are on the coast but quite close and Steyning is a nice little place. My cousin in Henfield moved out of London a couple of years ago. 

candygirl

WEDNESDAY, a friend of mine lives in Brighton.He absolutely loves it there, as there's so much to do.He's a musician who used to play with Jools Holland, n gets loads of gigs down there
SUGAR , well done on the weight loss
LL Hope the party goes well, n you feel a bit better soon.
If anyone wants a laugh, have a look at Alec Baldwin impersonating Trump on Saturday Night Live 🤣🤣🤣🤣

maman

I listen to BBC Sounds sft. It's like iplayer for radio. They do have podcasts but I tend to catch up with radio programmes that I've missed or dramas or audio books. Which apps do you use for podcasts?

The whole point about 'one mile clothes' is that, particularly in lockdown, you're meant to buy and choose comfortable, smart leisure clothes for wearing at home or just nipping to the local shops. We're all used to buying for occasions or work but probably guilty of just wearing old stuff for house clothes. Now we're not really going anywhere it's worth making the effort. 

We've had the equivalent of Cornish mizzle here today Mrs Porridge . I haven't been out as it would have ruined my blow dry. 😉 🤣

helensbiggestfan

Had a lovely afternoon with my family.  I'm so glad I changed my outfit and put on make up.  I wasnt going to bother. Yes I'm afraid I really felt that bad about myself this morning. I really felt like it was just too much of an effort. However, I gave myself a stern talking to and set to.  What a difference, it really lifted my spirits and the crazy thing was it only took 5 minutes.  

And, I'm also glad I did it because my family had all made a big effort too.  They were all nicely turned out, even DS1 who isn't even remotely interested in clothes was looking surprisingly dapper.  😂. The boys and their partners hadn't seen each other since the beginning of the last lockdown in order to shield DIL so we had a lovely time, it felt quite festive.  

Wednesday.....I love both Brighton and Bournemouth.  Brighton is very cosmopolitan.  There are some lovely spots along that coast although SFT is right you do have to be careful.  Some coastal towns have been used as little better than dumping grounds for the less fortunate and subsequently have serious social problems.  

Maybe you are feeling bored BECAUSE nothing has changed.  😂.    

I think it's been a bit of a non year in so many ways, with many of us feeling that our lives are on hold.  It can be hard to stay motivated at times, because one day seems to just blend seamlessly into the next and before I know it another month has slipped by.  

I have to admit that I do feel like I'm drifting a bit.  And i don't like it, it annoys me to feel that I'm wasting precious time.  I think to myself you're almost 70, you haven't got time to waste   😂🤣. 

 I'm really going to try and get a grip and give myself a much needed kick up the derrière.  Actually I should borrow from Yoda and not use the word "try". Just Do.   😂.   

Definitely going to start with my clothes.......  

Wednesday2000

helensbiggestfan said:

I have to admit that I do feel like I'm drifting a bit.  And i don't like it, it annoys me to feel that I'm wasting precious time.  I think to myself you're almost 70, you haven't got time to waste   😂🤣. 

I feel the same way. I keep thinking I'm going to be 45 next year and what on earth am I doing with my life?! I think maybe we both feel like as we both put our life on hold when we were carers.xx