Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

maddiemay

maman - same here we are now in Tier 2 from Tier 1, Shropshire is a very rural county as is Herefordshire which is less than 10 miles away, but Telford & Wrekin, a separate Authority, physically in Shropshire (started off as a New Town) have rising figures so we have all been lumped together. Mother is being shielded in a nursing home and my DSis is also shielding with her OH who has been on chemo and about to start radiotherapy.  OH and I are both missing social interaction with friends and family too.
I remember the aching legs from walking on shingle from our 30 years living close to Dorset's Jurassic coast.  Take care, hope that you feel brighter soon.  Hugs to you and all that are feeling weighed down too.
MMx

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

Maman, I hope that you will get your mojo back soon and feel more positive. 
 I really enjoyed my creative writing group today. I am not treating myself to any new purchases apart from the Christmas presents I bought myself from the money my son and sister M gave me. I have never been convinced that Black Friday generates any real bargains, so I just ignore it each year. 

Maddie May, I had plenty of rest and pampered myself yesterday and it did the trick. I did not need any painkillers today. Glad to hear that you gave yourself a kick up the derriere and started to make better choices with your clothing. It really does follow, that if we look good we will feel good. I really made an effort to go to my creative writing group today as I knew it would give me confidence when meeting a new group of people. Your ne Velux window sounds like it is going to be worth all of the mess and disruption. 

maman

Thanks sugarbaby. I'm sure I'll cheer up soon. 😊 I hadn't realised that your Creative Writing group was live, or was it Zoom? Glad you enjoyed it either way. 😊

chanie

I’ve been reading along but haven’t responded as I’m still really busy with work, not finishing until 7-8pm most nights.  I told my Director that I don’t intend to be putting in these hours long term, when it’s down to the incompetence of our processes and staff.  Luckily she understands as she knows there are problems.

I haven’t indulged in much Black Friday shopping as  I don’t think the bargains are there. I am going to stock up on my skincare as it’s currently on offer.   

maman

Good to hear from you chanie. I agree with you and sugarbaby , that Black Friday is just hype and very few real bargains. Like you, I bought skincare but that was because of reductions.

Those working hours just aren't sustainable. Glad to hear your manager is trying to understand and help. 😊

savingfortomorrow

I totally agree with chanie, there are a lot of false bargains that look great but are they not all that cheap.  I have few needs- a few wants but I recognize the difference. It is so tempting to buy the new without taking time to think and think again do I really think I will use something.

sukeyboo

Morning all 👋

Like you maman, we are now in tier 2 from tier 1. I know it is difficult for areas to be set but the cases in our locality are much lower than average but the whole county is classed as one area.

Hope you work hours ease off soon chanie - that must be very tiring.

Totally agree about Black Friday you have to be so careful and check prices as sometimes the ‘amazing bargains’ are no such thing 😱.

Maddiemay - your new Velux will make such a difference - we need as much light as possible in the house at this time of year.

It is a beautiful, albeit very chilly, day here - will wrap up and go for a walk later.

maman

I'm glad it's not just me that was feeling down after yesterday's news. My area is below the national average and falling so I think that's contributed to how I feel. I think it was having this month of lockdown with a fixed end date  and then what feels like an extension that didn't help either. I could even live with prioritising the economy if that were true but the hospitality industry will be hit hard at its busiest time where shops which have an online alternative will be open. I've never understood why it's OK to crowd in with random strangers in shops and shopping malls but not trusted friends and family. 🤔

I've often posted about the fashion pages in my newspaper but today it occurred to me that what they call the 'Bricks and Mortar' section about homes fits well with what we were discussing the other day. This quote struck a chord this morning:
'I feel as though one effect of the pandemic is that people are paying a lot more attention to self-care, and home is a part of that. Investing in your home is a way of paying attention to yourself and loving yourself and making an environment where you feel protected and safe and comfortable. '
It was in the introduction to a series of articles from a designer who plans to write about fabbing various rooms over the next few weeks. I think it sums up my own attitude. Today she was customising a corner of her sitting room to use as a home office. Fortunately, for me, we have enough rooms that I don't need to do that  but I liked her idea of sitting near a window, having plants about and having attractive storage so that things you'd been working on could be put away. The rest of the supplement is mostly about  houses at ridiculous prices but I do like looking at the pictures of the room sets. Sometimes I do the same on estate agents' websites or Pinterest. It's all about ideas. 

Highlight of the week for me today! Food Shopping! 🤣 LL taught us well though and I'll definitely be doing my best to make an effort for Fab Friday! It helps to make the weekend feel different. 😊

Wednesday2000

I am so bored with this stupid virus! It is beyond tedious now.

I am about to order an air fryer and a few other bits on Amazon. I've meant to get an air fryer for ages and my husband just told me to buy it.

We have been watching the end of the show Supernatural and now we are onto the new Star Trek Discovery show.

I am wearing a black and white patterned top today that I forgot I bought. It's weird just how many new clothes I bought this year when we came out of lockdown! I've been using scented body lotion after my bath each day as well.

MrsPorridge

Another one who felt very fed up yesterday's news.  I thought there was a glimmer of hope with the vaccine but not sure now.

Today, though I have bounced back!  We have a motorhome and have decided to spend tomorrow night in it - in the driveway.  I am ridiculously excited.  We will put on our PJs about 5pm and go into the van and cook pizza, play games etc.  In the morning DH will do us a big fry up   Daft or what?  (DH is the wrong side of 60 and I'm not far behind him)!