Frump to Fab 2021

maman

I read an amusing article by the journalist Hunter Davies and he said his vaccine card was already worn to shreds because he'd been flashing it to all and sundry just to show off that he's had it! He was now  calling himself 'Two Jabs' after the John Prescott joke. 

I think I'm more of a realist than an optimist LL. I'm also a cynic. I saw an interview with Professor (of Genetics at Edinburgh)  Colin Semple last night and he was explaining  that the prevalence of this virus and others can be traced to  the way humans have encroached  on forests and other new habitats and come into contact with animals and insects that we wouldn't have done in the past.  So we're suffering because of the way we're exploiting the planet. I try to be very alert and analytical when listening to the news. It's important to separate  'following the science' from the political decisions that are then made/not made based on them.  I think Chris Whitty is very tactful when he's asked such questions. He's a realist in that he knows that some form of economy has to be maintained but it isn't his choice where the line is drawn and he's definitely not going to be used as a scapegoat. Similarly Simon Stephens was asked whether he thought the NHS deserved a bonus for all their hard work (Lidl are giving their staff £200). He was careful to point out that we went into this pandemic poorly prepared because of the huge shortage of nurses. 

That put me in mind of the painting of The Scapegoat. Going to galleries is one of the (many) things I'm missing. This one is in the Manchester Art Gallery. I went to see it when I was at a conference a couple of years ago. 
Holman-Hunt-Scapegoat-(Manchester) - The Scapegoat (painting) - Wikipedia

savingfortomorrow

I guess the department of health has to give a fast card to be filled in. I am hopeful that there are additional records and databases that can verify vaccination status. 
I have no interest in going out for a walk today- I want to do more interior exercises. I got the daily target for the walking and honestly the stomach a bit not great. It's difficult to get out with limited public facilities now. You have to plan routes well or hop a wall into the field (and hope there is no bull). Sure, I might change my mind. 

I bought a diary in the "pound shop" for 75 cents reduced. It has an odd set up of grids per day but I want to use it as an accountability check for the goals to be less lazy and frumpy. It's like giving myself gold stars for each achievement but I need motivation in this time. 
I made lentil and kidney bean curry with cod. I had a tiny bit of fish and cooked it in the microwave, it gave off so much water that I was seriously disappointed. I had some chilli potatoes from Iceland with it. A lovely healthy meal for less than 2 euro. Iceland had a good stock of frozen stuff and the shelves were full. I bought a big bag of multiple frozen veg and milk for 17 euros and it saved me from having to get the click and collect until next week.  Food is getting in, I hadn't been to a shop in version except for the Asian shop and holland and Barrett since 3 weeks ago really. 

Floss

Maman, Prof Calum Semple is a virologist, based jointly at Liverpool Uni & Alder Hey where he is one of the senior respiratory consultants. As a member of our senior clinical staff he's done a few of our staff briefings on COVID (when he's not doing SAGE-work). 

maman

On a less philosophical note, it's fashion day in my newspaper today. It's a sign of the times when two of the articles are about retail therapy....one about Budgen and one about Aldi! 🤣

There is a piece about trench coats which is something I really could do with.  The example featured wasn't classic enough for me. It had a an inset panel down one front of sort of tartan fabric. Personally I'd prefer a standard, camel one and then add colour with a scarf. 

There was also something about boyfriend shirts in readiness for the spring (as a casual alternative to a jacket) and also jeggings are supposedly back. I have one black  pair which are useful for wearing tucked into high boots but otherwise I'd rather wear leggings or jeans. 

I finished a sample size of toner this morning and I don't have any more in store. Does anyone use it regularly? 🤔

Wednesday2000

Maman - I have a black and white checked boyfriend shirt. I haven't worn it in a while as it's been so cold. It's milder today, though. I wouldn't mind getting a couple more. I don't use toner. I did go through a stage of using rose water after my cleanser.

I woke up really out of sorts today. We were discussing moving house and whether my husband can afford to retire so early last night. I am sure I want to get out of London no matter what, even if he decides to work for a few more years. The book I'm reading at the moment is very unrealistic so I stopped reading it and I went out for my normal walk and only managed 5,000 steps as it started raining. Walking outside usually lifts my mood but it's so dark and dismal out there. I will go out again later to try to increase the steps.

 I'm having a glass of red wine now.

helensbiggestfan

Well I went to Aldi's......didn't fancy it much but am now all stocked up again.  I feel safer at Aldi's, last time I went to Asda I was appalled, the usual chavs completely flouting social distancing guidelines. 

Anyway, when I got back I was astonished to find a cheque for a holiday booking refund.  A very welcome surprise which has given me a little boost and made me feel a bit more cheerful.  😂

Speaking of coats, ive just bought a fern green lightweight wool 60s style "Mod" coat and a winter weight full length red wool coat.  I think that's enough coats for now, 😂. I am now going to start on dresses.  I've seen a couple of "Jackie O" type I like, just plain simple fitted shift styles, they suit me best.  I can dress them up with jewellery for evening or keep them simple for a low key lunch.....that's assuming nights out and lunches will be back on the agenda at some point of course. 😂.  I did pick up a smart cream linen M&S one for 50p from a chazzer just before lockdown. Honestly, 50p - you can't even buy a bar of chocolate for that. 😁.  

Can't wait for the chazzers to open again.  I passed one this Mornjng, all closed up. It still had its Christmas decorations up.  Oh well I'm sure the U.K. will spring back to life one day.  I'll be ready and waiting and raring to go.  

I'm just about to have lunch, a very naughty once in a blue moon macaroni cheese.  Yum.  

Wednesday....try not to worry about the house move, it will happen when the time is right.  Meanwhile enjoy your glass of wine.  I've started enjoying a G&T in the evening.  😉

Maman.....I don't use toner at the moment.  I cleanse my face first and then give it wipe over with micellar water after.  I find that quite nice.  My skin is very dry at the moment......cold winds and central heating, so I'm being extra kind to it.  

Wednesday2000

OMG, how many coats do you have now? You must have over 20?

I had more bags than I thought, actually, when I went through them the other day.

I can't wait for the chazzers to open too. I just walked down to the local high street to get in more steps and I was looking at the closed charity shops there.

thepurplepixie

helensbiggestfan said:

Watched a documentary last night.  It was called 54 days something or other on BBC2. All about how the virus started in China and how the Chinese government fudged it all and refused to share information such as releasing the gene sequence of the virus to the WHO.  All because of the Chinese government's obsession with "stability" (read control) and not "losing face" to the West.  Well worth watching although you might feel your blood pressure rising. 

China did try to suppress information about the virus but they were wrong to say they didn't share information on the gene sequence of the virus.  The reason tests were so quickly developed was because they had the gene sequence, I think it was in early January.  I think the big issue at that point was they were saying there was no evidence of human to human transmission when it was already spreading fast in China.  It is worrying that we can't trust a BBC documentary, a quick google would have told them the date, I just googled it and it was the 11th January.  If we can't trust Aunty Beeb who can we trust?
There will be lots to investigate when this is all over, China's part in it, how we have ended up with so many deaths and all the rest of it.  I just want it to be over and have a normal life. 
For the first time in my life I am nervous about going to the dentist, I've always been very relaxed about it but it feels scary now, I've got a horrible feeling I might need to have a tooth out which is sad as I have a full set but it just shows we can still have a "first" even when we are getting on a bit.  Trust me to start having tooth trouble in a pandemic.  I have this strange feeling that my teeth are moving, as if they are all shuffling forward a bit.  It sounds mad and they look fine but I can just feel with my tongue that they are just a bit of a tight fit at the front and a bit easier to floss at the back as they are a bit less crowded.  It is probably a mm and totally invisible but I'm sure I'm right.  Just followed my own advice and googled it and it is a thing and is called mesial drift.  Not only a first if I have a tooth out but I learned about mesial drift as well so that's my lockdown excitement for today.
Very nice bracelet Floss, you must be pleased with it.  I learned something else, I didn't know what a tennis bracelet was so I had to google that as well.

pattycake

pixie, I feel your anxiety about a trip to the dentist.  I have always looked after my teeth but having missed a normal check up during the pandemic, in November I had tooth ache which I ignored as long as I could hoping it would go away.  To cut a long story short, after a failed root canal I ended up with a large molar extraction shortly before Christmas.  A most unpleasant experience as the tooth broke and was very difficult to remove.

I will say though that on my three visits to the surgery I was very reassured by the safety measures in place and all is well now.

maman

Thanks for the picture of your beautiful bracelet Floss. It's absolutely gorgeous yet not too blingy for everyday wear.  I hope you love it too! 😊  Thanks for putting me right on Professor Calum Semple from Liverpool. I'd got him confused with Colin Semple from Edinburgh. I looked up his photo and you've definitely got the right one. 

It wouldn't' be impossible to move house and for your DH to carry on working Wednesday. I'm sure you'd still want to be near enough to London for your concerts. My DD has a friend who works for TfL. His journey is just over an hour each way by train to Waterloo and he does 4 longish shifts a week and then 3 days off. He says it's worth it for a decent job that pays well but he can live in a country town with a decent garden. Was it the Kent or Essex coast you were looking at? 

I think making notes in a diary is an excellent idea sft. I use one for a food diary to keep myself on track. Was it frozen fish that shrank? I tried some this week and was very disappointed. 'Fresh' is really expensive but probably worth it in the long run. I try to plan in tinned sardines and plenty of salmon as they are better value alternatives .

I hope the dental appointment isn't as scary as you're anticipating pixie. Hopefully it will soon be over. 😊

Ironically, I went to Asda this afternoon LL. It was the city centre branch which is usually full of students and people who work locally but today it was really quiet.  I treated myself to some YS flowers. Just spray carnations but I think they have a vintage look about them. I also bought this top:
Cream Leopard Print Lightweight Woven Cami Top | Women | George at ASDA
I like animal print and although it's synthetic it has a nice feel to it, not prickly at all. I also liked the loose shape. I haven't tried it on yet but I'm hoping I'll like it.😊 I did buy food as well. Honestly!! 😉