Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

savingfortomorrow

Sugar congrats on getting the delivery slot. It a bit mad isn't it. Your wise not to over do it, little and often. I think cleaning and decluttering  should be enjoyable  small bits than  a massive undertaking. 

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,
Thanks SFT I was relieved to get the slot that I preferred on Christmas Eve for my online grocery shopping. I will be getting most of my last minute Christmas food treats from Lidl in the week leading up to Christmas but I will buy my everyday staple items online so I do not have to carry any bulky or heavy items, they will be delivered to my front door. 

After just under 9 hours of sleep, I got up raring to get on with the cleaning. I have done the bulk of it in my kitchen now. I have done the cupboards and the drawers, all of the outside of the cooker and fridge freezer and swept and mopped the floor underneath. Tomorrow I will move the washing machine and sweep and mop underneath it and the kitchen will be done. The time consuming part of cleaning the cupboards and drawers was taking all of the items out and having to put them back again. 

I am going to take a well earned rest and all I have to do this evening is cook dinner which will be a butter chicken curry (Sharwoods) and pilau rice. 

maman

That's a very thorough clean sugarbaby, the appliances are really heavy. Take care. 😊

It's really dull and gloomy here today. The rain eventually stopped but it's so dark. I'm working through those little jobs that get overlooked. I cleared out the box with all my laundry stuff in and a basket in the bathroom that had toiletry and make up bits in.   Next, I need to sort my cutlery drawer. It's tidy enough but it's amazing how crumbs and bits always seem to get inside!🤔

I went to Asda on Friday and was pleased that they still had the bronze ballet pumps that I'd been fancying. They're almost like slippers but they do have proper soles. For £8 they'll be a useful addition to my wardrobe as al my current ballet pumps are black. 
https://direct.asda.com/george/women/shoes/bronze-ballet-shoes/GEM774807,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C20

Roast chicken dinner here. 😋

sukeyboo

Hi everyone 👋 - hope you don’t mind me joining in the conversation? 

As I mentioned in my earlier post to wish LL all the best, I have been a long time lurker and occasional contributor in the past.

Just so you have a bit of background, I am in my mid-fifties and I live in Dorset. I was made redundant from my job of 23 years back in August and must admit, I am finding it a bit of a struggle 🙁. I am job-hunting without much success at the moment.

The plus side of being a reluctant lady-of-leisure is that I am able to spend a bit more time on the fabbing front. I must say that my skin has never looked so good - I think it is a combination of not wearing make-up every day and being able to spend more time on my skincare routine in the mornings.

Hope you enjoy your roast chicken dinner maman - those pumps look lovely 😀

i have been to Lidl today sugarbaby and they have some really nice Christmas goodies in already - we did buy some bits and pieces but the main purchase was a new activity tower for our cat which he seems to love already 😻.

maman

Good to see you posting sukey. You'll like it here. Great to know you're making the most of being off work to spend time on yourself. We're worth it. 😉

sugarbaby125

Great to read your contribution Sukey   

Maman I was careful when I was moving my cooker and my fridge freezer. The cooker is not very heavy. My tip for moving white goods is to mop the floor directly in front of your appliance and then it is much easier to slide it forward. I have always cleaned my cookers and white goods in my kitchen like that, so it is natural for me. I just have to take a lot more care when moving heavy items in rooms to make sure that I do not over exert myself and cause myself damage. 

chanie

I have been lurking for a while as I’ve been really busy with work so I’ve just followed along for a while. 

Sukey sorry to read about your job. I hope you find something soon.  I had a period of unemployment over the summer I found it helpful to force myself to have a couple of tasks or challenges to complete each day eg clean a drawer, read 5 chapters of a book, go for a walk.  Also, enjoy your down time.  I know it’s not a choice to be out of work, but enjoy the time you have.

maman well done on your bargain slipper shoes. They are lovely for adding a bit of glamour to 2020. Plus they look comfortable.

sugar great progress on your Xmas prep.    I feel slightly ahead of the curve , as I did lots of decluttering and deep cleaning over the summer when I wasn’t working.  

My plan over the next few weeks is to make my Xmas puddings. I’m the one who eats it, but I enjoy making it.  I also bought a ring frame so I can make a Xmas wreath.  We went for a walk in the woods yesterday and I used an app on my phone to identify the plants I need to pick for my wreath.   I’m not skilled at either cooking or floristry but I enjoy giving things a go and learning new skills.

savingfortomorrow

I took a leaf out of sugars book- I did my tesco order for the week ahead. I do the click and collect as it suits me better to get the groceries without damaging the card by entering the store. It really is none dearer than lidl or aldi if I stick to the list. 

Sukey- best wishes with the job hunt. Keep plodding along, something will turn up it is not easy. I am glad your skin is looking better. 
maman- I have an idea that the clutery drawer is under the chopping area, it is the reason that dirt gets in. Houses I lived on with the drawer far from the chopping areas never have a big issue. No kitchen design is perfect but if I redo the kitchen when the budget is right I'm getting rid of the drawer under the chopping area and including a bigger drawer for pots and pans and removing the small drawers that are just useless. 

I made tomato and lentil soup today, portioned into 4 lunches. I prepared fennel and roasted cauliflower salad with brown lentils and pomegranate seeds. I got a 7 km walk in and some fresh air. If I eat well and get exercise, I'm doing ok. I was delighted to avoid any shopping this weekend. I used the money saved to pay more ahead with sky and plan to pay more for electricty.

ancientmum

I'm another lurker, a little late to the party but just wanted to send my good wishes to everyone and especially to LL.  Thank you for starting this thread LL, it has been an inspiration.  I'll continue reading and contribute if I think I have anything to offer but this thread moves so quickly  -  if I don't check in for a few days I lose the plot! (Not difficult for me)

sukeyboo

Thanks for the warm welcome - it is much appreciated 😀

Ancientmum - good to see another lurker posting 😉

Chanie - I would love to make my own Christmas wreath and you have inspired me to have a look at what I need to construct one. I live in the countryside so have plenty of opportunity to collect the necessary foliage etc. 

I must admit that I did get somewhat depressed when I was made redundant - I enjoyed my job and got on really well with my colleagues so it was a difficult to adjust to being at home all the time. 

SFT - good idea about the cutlery drawer - my job was in kitchen design and have found that the wide deep drawers are much more useful for storing pots & pans - saves all that crawling around on the floor to reach the back of the cupboard.

At least the rain & wind have gone now - will try to go out for a walk later and get some fresh air.