Frump to Fab 2021

MrsPorridge

maman said:

Do you enjoy browsing through cookbooks for new recipes MrsPorridge?  I seem to find all of mine online now or occasionally from the free magazines you get in some supermarkets like Asda and Tesco. I've  just kept a couple of 'bibles' like Mrs Beeton and Good Housekeeping . I have a recipe box in the kitchen where all potential/new recipes go and then transfer them to a loose-leaf file (with plastic pockets) when a recipe is definitely a keeper. 

Yes I do like browsing through them although I do find that I go online now - its much easier to find them!  I also print off anything I like and put it in a folder.  Hence giving them away to the charity shop

Floss

Wednesday2000 said:

HMRC still haven't taken out my cheque either. I was saying how useless they are to my husband last night and I just checked my bank account this morning. I know the post is bad at the moment but they were awful before the pandemic....

HMRC are likely all working from home, but the post will probably be sat in their offices waiting to be dealt with.

thepurplepixie

Chanie generally RTI has improved things, I'm not sure why it sometimes doesn't work.  I've got someone who has had the same issue as you, maybe they've found a blackhole.

sheilavw

Evening, got a good one and a half hr walk in today with a friend, then a further 20 mins when I took my Daughters dogs out. It was very mild but feels colder now than earlier. I've been putting plenty of hand cream on, they look really dry on top. Hoping to get someone in to put me a new loft hatch and pull down ladder so can empty 32 plus years of stuff thats lurking up there. If it stays mild I am going to get some tidying done in the back garden. Making the most of half term , I expect we will be back to a full cohort of students soon!

thepurplepixie

Cheerful conversation with GS.  He was talking about going to his grandfather's funeral and telling me what happened.  Ended up with him working out who should be pallbearers when I die.  He's got it all planned!

Floss

thepurplepixie said:

Cheerful conversation with GS.  He was talking about going to his grandfather's funeral and telling me what happened.  Ended up with him working out who should be pallbearers when I die.  He's got it all planned!

Better that he has an idea of what to do & what you'd like than none at all! It's a part of educating youngsters that sometimes gets missed in the misguided "protecting the children" scenario of not talking about death!

thepurplepixie

I quite like that we have the sort of relationship where we can discuss it.  Maybe it is easier with GC than our own.  I remember when my mother died my 11 year old daughter told us the music my mother wanted at the funeral, she'd discussed it with her but not her own children.  Or maybe my family is just weird that way.

MrsPorridge

Mum told me what she wanted when she died, I hated her at the time for talking this way, but when it happened I was so grateful.  DH and I have talked to DS about what we want.  It does make it easier on those who are left behind.

maman

Not necessarily the most cheerful of conversations pixie, but like floss said it's necessary at some point.  It's good that you have the sort of relationship with GS that you can talk to each other.  I've been meaning to ask (inherent nosiness😉) but has he moved in with you for lockdown so you can help with childcare/schooling? 🤔

We've been to a few funerals in the past year (none Covid related thank goodness) and were told that the deceased had chosen music etc.  My friend that died back in November went for Dancing Queen! 🤣 Love it!!

We did manage to get out for a walk yesterday and felt better for it. We were out for an hour and were just short of 7000 steps, a local circular walk. We were discussing why we don't seem to make the 10 000 often.  When we used to do our weekly 'health' walks we'd easily do 10 000 but that was an  hour's walk maintaining a good, brisk pace. Now we walk  fairly quickly but stop often to look at things and DH takes photos as he contributes to a community Facebook page. Sometimes we stop off in local shops or (shock horror!!) to talk to neighbours and friends that we might meet on the way. 

I've had a good pamper session after my shower today including putting the highlighter spray on my hair. Using it every few weeks has maintained the last vestiges of colour and kept my hair from being block dark mouse.  I am pleased that no grey has grown through though. I think I'm going to have to cut my fringe very soon as it gets very lank and straggly very quickly as it's too long.  I think it was LL who said she'd been wearing good jumpers indoors. I'm doing the same. Yesterday I wore a burgundy cashmere  and today I have an oatmeal coloured angora tunic. I've had both for a few years and probably wouldn't wear either of them out for a pu meal as I used to but they're smart enough to give me a lift indoors and I can always buy new next winter. 

Stay safe all.😊

thepurplepixie

Maman he just arrived at the door when the latest lockdown started and phoned home to say he was here.  It is a difficult situation but he has spent much of his childhood here, when his parents split up his mother had a bit of a breakdown and his father couldn't have him so Social Services approved us to have him.  He's generally spent school holidays with us, lots of weekends.  It got more difficult when mum remarried and he doesn't get on with step father and it has got physical at times, not serious but worrying so we are his place of safety.  His school are aware and have been supportive.  To be honest with you it would be easier if he was here fulltime, as it is we never know when he will just arrive or mum will phone hysterical and demanding I collect him.  If I'm honest he feels more like another son than a grandson.  At times we have come close to legal action to get custody but he does love his mum despite it all and isn't ready to take that step.  Uni is only 2 years away so I suppose we will just limp on till then.  He is predicted all 8s and 9s at GCSE and is bright, he seems remarkably undamaged by it all but who knows what is going on under the surface.

Families, who'd have em.
On a more pampering note I need to order some shampoo and conditioner.  I had a good look at my hair and considered going back to ordinary shampoo but decided it would be mad to throw away all the improvements so I will bite the bullet and order it.  I'm not good at spending money on myself but I have to give myself a shake at times.

I've cut my fringe, I can't stand that straggly fringe look so it had to be done.  I do need to see the hairdresser but hopefully that won't be too long.  I am lucky as I feel very safe, my hairdresser has a salon in an extension to her house and only ever has one client at a time (unless husbands go along as mine does sometimes) so not like a busy salon plus no parking issues as I can walk there in 2 minutes.

I made pancakes so feel a bit stuffed but we do love pancakes in this house.

My husband isn't well, he hasn't been great for a week or so, we aren't managing to get out much, I don't like leaving him at the moment.  Hopefully better times are coming.