Frump to Fab 2021

Toni'sfriend

Thanks, Floss. I'll have a look at those.

maman

What a lovely neighbourhood TF. We, too, look after the communal areas but that's because we are responsible (collectively) for our unadopted/private road.  We pay a small amount a year for some things to be done by contractors but DH cuts the grass verges around our home and picks up any litter. Until recently he cut our elderly neighbour's too. That's the house that is up for sale by developers. It has a 'Sale Agreed' sign up today so we'll see what happens. Our road is lined with cherry blossom and it's looking great at the moment. Until the wind comes and then we have pink snow! 🤣

That's great to get back to one of your courses sugarbaby, and a departure from your creative writing. 

Food shop done today and that's about all. I have put a big pot of Bolognese in the slow cooker to portion up for the freezer. 

I heard Marian Keyes , the Irish novelist, saying that when she meets up with her friends on Zoom they have very little to say except what they've cooked and what they've watched on TV. 

I am so pleased I joined this thread. It's great to have some virtual friends to 'chat' with, especially through lockdown. 

I have made an appointment with my podiatrist but I have to wait until early May. It's a new(ish) practice so I'm pleased she's doing well but I must learn to make advance bookings.

Promises to be a nice weekend. I do hope you're not inundated at the coast pixie. 😊

maddiemay

Hi everyone, just back home from a few days in mid Wales, lovely sunny days, but sharp frost's every night. A few gremlins with electrics and electronics with the caravan, but overall a good time with lots of nice W8rose food, I had a little savings pot just for food treats.
I had a major haircut before I went, from shoulder length plus 3 ins turned up to ultra short, love it. (Apologies if I mentioned it already). 

I will catch up with all your posts tomorrow.

Wednesday2000

I had about 3 inches chopped off my hair yesterday. It is still past my shoulders as it got so long.


I had such a lovely day out although I got a reaction to some facial wipes I bought so I didn't feel that great. I had to take antihistamines before I left. There was no way I was going to cancel going out after all this time!


They weren't restricting people on the buses. It wasn't as busy as normal on the tubes still. I went to the park and walked around and took some photos. Then we met at a pub and had lunch and drinks in the outdoor seating there. It did get chilly but they had heat lamps. Then we went down to the river Thames and had some G&Ts and then we went to Cafe Rouge and had dinner! It got too chilly sitting outside as they didn't have heat lamps so I left more early than I would normally.


On the way home I kept going past hairdresser salons that were still open for haircuts. My hairdresser said she is so busy at the moment.

maman

So pleased your day out  went well Wednesday. I know you were looking forward to it and the weather was kind to you.😊

Bars and restaurants aren't really geared up for outdoors in this country. The weather is so changeable that they rely on the eating in option. In Europe they always have outdoor heaters and blankets available on the chairs. I remember being in Prague for my birthday  in March a couple of years ago and we ate outside and were as warm as toast.  I'm surprised at Cafe Rouge as they try to be like a French restaurant. I know the bars overlooking the Seine/Eiffel Tower have heaters. They should copy that too! 🤣

It's a shame you had that flare up with the facial wipes, hope the antihistamine did the trick. I've decided I'm going to try to make some 'green' changes to my beauty routines. I'm down to the last few cotton pads for removing make up. Then I'm going to work through the facial wipes that I have in stock. When they've all gone I'm going to try the reusable pads instead or may just use the muslin cloths that I already have. 🤔

Wednesday2000

It's annoying as I never use facial wipes normally, it's just that I got them free a while back and found them while I was decluttering recently.



I don't know what we would have done if it had been raining as the seating area at Cafe Rouge wasn't even covered. Some of it was but not the part we were seated at.


It was sunny yesterday but with a definite chill in the air and the evening got very cold. I noticed a lot of women sitting near me were wearing ponchos/shawls when we ate out in the evening. I had to borrow my brother's jacket on the way home. I will have to plan my outfit better next time.


It does definitely feel like life is getting back to normal. I enjoyed myself much more than I would have before the pandemic as I appreciated it more.

Toni'sfriend

I'm hoping that we might be brave enough to venture out somewhere soon. We have £100 of restaurant vouchers that my son bought us before the first lockdown but we haven't been able to use them yet. I emailed the restaurant chain and they have extended the expiry date until the end of October. Unfortunately very few places here with outdoor seating and even though it's quite mild for the time of year still too cold even if there were. We are just not geared up for it in this country. I also remember sitting in Paris in December outside, covered over, heaters and blankets and pouring rain beating down on the plastic covering. I hope I'll be able to do that again.

One of Himself's friends invited us over for an alfresco drink tomorrow but we can't go because Himself has his next appointment for his second jab and it's a distance away.

Today we had a little walk to the local shop and the butcher, It's not far but the fresh air is so nice. Other than that I've really been a bit lazy. Pasta for dinner. Looking forward to that.

chanie

Wednesday I’m pleased that the trip out you have been planning for ages went well.  It sounds like you have been very busy recently.  

You’ve reminded me that I could probably do with a new spring/autumn jacket.  I have winter coats and some  lightweight summer ones, but I could do with something in between that is lightweight, but still has a bit of warmth to it.

it was DS birthday recently so that had been our focus. We took the children to Iegoland and although some of the attractions were closed, it was quiet enough that we didn’t have to queue for the ones that were open so we really got our monies worth.

it feels great that society is opening up again, but I think it won’t be long before most people will go back to their pre-pandemic life and any positives from lockdown (eg environment and less consumerism) will be forgotten.  Plus, lots of other countries are still in the wave of their pandemics, so we can’t afford to get complacent. I have to keep reminding myself of this.

Wednesday2000

Chanie - They were saying that on the radio the other day that it is probably a good time to visit theme parks as there won't be the huge queues. I hope people do keep some of the positive changes they made during the pandemic. My brother was saying that he is going to be working from home a few days a week permanently now. 


I am going to visit some different charity shops this week to look for summer stuff. I want some skirts and some tops and maybe sandals.


Saying that I am about to paint my toenails ready for the summer weather. The nails on my toes don't need to be done as much as my fingers as they take a while to chip.

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies, 

Wednesday I am pleased for you both that Friday went so well for you and your brother 

Chanie, taking your children to Legoland while it is quieter was a lovely birthday adventure. My children used to love Legoland when they were younger and I used to enjoy taking them there. 

I took delivery yesterday of the used solid oak chest of drawers I had bought from eBay for my son's bedroom.    I am making a few changes to his bedroom to update it before he returns home from University in June.