Frump to Fab - A Whole New World.

savingfortomorrow

Yesterday was a glorious 25 degree centigrade here and it was very hot to drive in. 
I think the removal of the make up when you come in is good but we all do sometimes fall asleep - it can happen but it can be simple to have a few options biodegradable wipes, cleaning balms and oils to give options that are a bit lazier. 

I am trying to stop eating after a cut off of seven in the evening as I mindlessly graze on stuff. At least the majority is super healthy but if I can be strict it helps me control the feedback loops that govern the metabolism. I alway seem to have a better function digestively when i give myself time to digest food. I was looking into intermittent fasting maybe do a 8 hour eating window- has anyone any experience of this. 
I recently bought a book called the obesity code that im going to start reading, the writer details all manner of fasting. I just wonder how i would do it practically. 
 
LL keep only what makes you look your best, let someone else have the "it's ok" items. It is better to have less blah and more wow. Narrow down the colours, tones and styles that work for you. Someone else can make use of the blah.  
A smaller choice of the best items that make you feel great is easier to work with. I am going to purge the wardrobes, and honestly give stuff away because if it does not please men why keep it. Sometimes guilt over cost, who gave it to you (often clearing out their junk), thing we might lose stones, grow taller or return to fashion keep bad items. I am doing the same clearing out bad items and carefully and slowly add new items in. When I pay cheap and implusive it costs me twice as things don't match other styles of items or have limited lifespan.

ancientmum

Out for a walk with littlest DGD today and she complained that the wind was blowing her hair into her face.  I said "My hair is getting in my eyes and my mouth and my nose."  She said "Granny, you do have hair in your nose."  This is the child who also told me I have wobbly arms.  Love her to bits.

MrsPorridge

Ladies, have enjoyed reading about the various wardrobe clear outs and hanging onto stuff for whatever reason.  During lockdown I have rediscovered my joy of dressmaking - and yes, I do mean dresses.  I very rarely wear trousers.  I have even now got the courage (with the help of DH) to draft my own pattern  and actually make dresses that fit me properly (I am size 16 ish on top and size 18ish on the bottom).  My next job now is to go through my wardrobe and the stuff that doesn't fit (more than half of it) and de construct them and re-use the fabric to make something else and re-use the zips etc.,

helensbiggestfan

good morning lovely ladies.  

How are we all.  Am just back from an early trip to Aldi and now settled with my coffee and a little break.  Washing machine on.  

Have had a manic few days here.  My son and Pregnant DIL are both trying to combine working from home and look after their 22 month old toddler. DILs employers have been brilliant, but my sons employers less so, they are a very traditional old fashioned kind of company (let's just say railways and you'll understand😂). They seem to have struggled with the concept home working, although they do have the the technology, it's more a an attitude of mind I think.  Plus he has the boss from hell who is one of those really poor micro managers who doesn't treat the staff like grown ups, constantly checking on them and demanding updates.  As my son says they spend so much time providing updates they don't have time to get any work done.

  I have been watching him get more and more stressed, becoming increasingly anxious about work and eventually I decided enough was enough and that it was time to intervene.  I know that technically households aren't supposed to mix yet but I thought damn it, he is going to have a breakdown if something doesn't give, so I decided it was time for me step up to the plate and help out.  I had been offering online and telephone support but really that wasn't cutting it, what they needed was an extra pair of hands.  

In our defence they have been completely self isolating for well over two months, not even setting foot outside the door, and the only time I have been out is to the supermarket, so I figured it was probably safe enough. It's a tricky one isn't....... trying to balance protecting against the virus but at the same when families are desperate for help you can't ignore their needs. My son was in danger of burn out, he was looking very strained and haggard. I know he's strong,, fit and healthy but I was getting concerned.   There are limits.  Thankfully, he looks tons better now.  

I have to say it's been lovely though, I feel like I've got my grandson back......

back in a mo.  

helensbiggestfan

Hi....just had to answer DIL.....yesterday Grandson got stung by a bee bless his heart. DIL was panicking a bit because she is allergic to bee stings and was concerned, so was needing lots of reassurance and giving me updates and asking what I thought.  He's fine.  

Anyway all  is good here.......it's been beautiful weather, still warm but a bit breezy today. Good drying weather.  😉.  

I have had a naughty little spend......There is very little shade in the garden and it can get like a furnace, also affecting my kitchen diner......great in winter but a bit much sometimes in summer. I have ordered a large sun parasol and base which can be moved around to where needed and also a fixed sun awning which will be placed on the outside wall of the patio which has large patio doors and which can make the room very hot.  So hopefully the awning will provide a nice shady spot to sit under and it will also keep the kitchen diner a bit cooler.  I have also ordered a kitchen island unit.  

Oh well at least I'm not buying clothes, books and eating out in restaurants.  😂

Some disturbing news for poor old Derby.  Rolls Royce are struggling and need to restructure, they are going to make 9000 people redundant worldwide......but a lot of them will be from the Derby divisions.   Bad news.  When they went bust in 1971 (they did receive some govt help to restructure but they still lost thousands of jobs) it was bad news for the city, because of course there are a lot of local businesses and ancillary businesses, suppliers etc who get dragged under as well. 

The aviation industry in general is going to be really badly hit, not just RR and I do wonder how Bombardier (rail) and all the other transport providers will fare too.  I fear it's going to be long haul for the economy.  It must be a very worrying time for a lot of people.  

Other than that, all is good.  Another bank holiday weekend and the weather due to remain nice.  At least we are getting some great weather, which makes lockdown more bearable. 

helensbiggestfan

ancientmum said:

Out for a walk with littlest DGD today and she complained that the wind was blowing her hair into her face.  I said "My hair is getting in my eyes and my mouth and my nose."  She said "Granny, you do have hair in your nose."  This is the child who also told me I have wobbly arms.  Love her to bits.

I bet you do......Adorable.  

helensbiggestfan

MrsPorridge said:

Ladies, have enjoyed reading about the various wardrobe clear outs and hanging onto stuff for whatever reason.  During lockdown I have rediscovered my joy of dressmaking - and yes, I do mean dresses.  I very rarely wear trousers.  I have even now got the courage (with the help of DH) to draft my own pattern  and actually make dresses that fit me properly (I am size 16 ish on top and size 18ish on the bottom).  My next job now is to go through my wardrobe and the stuff that doesn't fit (more than half of it) and de construct them and re-use the fabric to make something else and re-use the zips etc.,

That sounds a brilliant idea. Waste not, want not.  😁

maman

I can't say I blame you bending the rules a bit LL. I'd hoped that home working would continue after the lockdown for environmental reasons as well as cutting the cost of childcare but there are employers who still think of home working as home shirking. 

You are allowed to meet your grandson but should keep him at a 2m distance! Although apparently the advice issued to schools this morning interprets social distancing for 5 year olds as mixing fairly freely, but as 15 children in a 'bubble' with their teacher all day long. That's going to be a strain on teachers going all day without a break unless they are fortunate enough to have a classroom assistant in the bubble  That'll be difficult though as in many schools assistants are shared between classes or work part time. It's going to be particularly hard in infant schools as 2 from 3 year groups are going back which needs 4 teachers ( 2classes of 15 rather than 30) but for 3 classes they'd only employ 3 teachers. I'm watching the situation carefully as DD1 is a teacher so, just like you're concerned about your son LL, I'm worried about her. She's worked throughout but numbers have been low enough for social distancing and, in any event, government hasn't allowed academic learning to take place, schools have really only been open for childcare. Is your grandson's nursery reopening soon?  

Keeping up with things on the fabbing front. We had a really good walk yesterday (10 000+ steps!). We stayed local and walked around a new housing development. That sounds boring but it's built on the site of an old country house which had Capability Brown designed grounds. Many of the original features like the woodland, parkland trees and ponds have been preserved. So our walk was a mixture of nosing at new houses and walking in the woods.

Although it was hot and sunny I didn't want to wear a short dress outside as I'm better off walking in trainer type shoes. I put my leggings back on but wore a sleeveless top. I think I'm catching the sun a bit.  

The awnings sound great LL. We're still dithering about the sun loungers. I like the look of the steamer type wooden ones but they have a much thinner mattress than the bog standard metal framed ones. Then there's the fact that I like to sit upright but put my feet up. Many of the loungers tip back as you raise your feet IYSWIM. I've only looked at Argos online. Any Ideas?

Shopping day today. My weekly trip to Aldi!

Floss

Maman, I have 2 teak steamer chairs bought in 2005, I also have the original tie-on cushions bought at the same time that are about 5cm thick, so nice & comfy.

ETA the chairs & cushions had been stored in an attic room for 13 years as I had no garden when with the ex, and they only came back out last August so the cushions haven't been used much to flatten them!

These can be lay down, sat up or somewhere inbetween, with your legs up 😉

helensbiggestfan

 2 metre distancing and grandchildren don't really compute do they.......he fell asleep in my arms yesterday, nuzzling into my neck. 😂.  

To be honest I think it's utter madness to allow reception and year 1s back to school.  Year 6 yes, they are older and can understand the concept of social distancing and it will do them no real harm. And maybe it's a good opportunity  to prepare them for the transition to secondary school but for the life of me I cannot see the justification for sending the little ones back. I have been thinking about this and actually I think it could be potentially harmful for their emotional development and well being in the long run ......what a message to teach them......stay away from people because you could get sick if you get too close.  Hardly conducive to teaching them how to socialise and be at ease In the company of others.  I'm sure it's going to make them fearful and anxious. It could be harmful for their mental health.  

As for the teachers......well I think they have quite enough on their plate.  They haven't exactly been sat at home twiddling their thumbs.  I'm sure most have been working extra hard providing on line support and encouragement, not just with the academic stuff but with emotional and pastoral support too, as well as being in school for the children of essential workers. 

I haven't heard the news today but I was discussing this with a friend earlier and she tells me the government may well do a u turn - at least with the little ones. 

Not sure when the nursery opens again, but they are not even considering sending him back until at least September (new baby not due till October so not taking any risks). They are just going to wait and see.  My son is actually loving playing "nursery teacher" and has bought loads of extra toys, games and books. I have to say GS has come on leaps and bounds, really benefitting from the one to one attention.   Tbh I think he has had more "academic" type play than he would have had at nursery, they don't seem to do much until the age of 3.  And as we know some little ones are like sponges, just ready to soak up knowledge and skills long before they are 3.

I do have to smile because I often think DS1 has sort of missed his vocation really......he would have made an excellent teacher.....he always excelled at maths and I lost count of the times I saw him him "teaching" his mates and helping them with their maths.  I once asked him if he didn't fancy teaching and he said only if he taught at university level to students who actually wanted to learn.  He knew he would have no patience with stroppy kids who messed around.  And although I too
loved teaching my own kids, I could never have gone into teaching as a profession. I wouldn't have had the patience.   I used to be a volunteer parent helper and there were times when I could have cheerfully throttled some of the kids (and their parents🤣).   

I also asked DS2 the same question.....did he fancy teaching.  He actually shuddered and said "God no. I might end up with pupils who were like me".....😂🤣.  

Re...loungers, maybe have a look round some of the garden centres so you can try them out, then go online and compare prices. I have ordered my kitchen island from Wayfair.  Mine are "tilt in space" ones, great for when my back is sore.