Frump to Fab 2021

sugarbaby125

Positive thought for today:

Love the life you have, not the one you think you should have. Make it your own. (Katie Piper)

thepurplepixie

Wednesday I had to go and retrieve my recycling this morning, it is all OK at the moment but it is windy so hope it stays intact until the collection.  They normally come about 3, hilarious as we are near a school and it is chaos with parents parked everywhere and the refuse men trying to get into cul de sacs and reverse out.  I'm always amazed that the parents don't twig that it is worth parking further away on a Thursday.
I had a long shower this morning, washed my hair and blow dried it and feel quite good.  As well as rounding up the recycling I've cleaned the oven (hate that job) and vacuumed the house.  I've also checked the bathroom looks OK, I feel like the plumber is coming to judge me.  This lockdown has affected my brain I think.  Just having a sit down before doing lunch.
I'm still battling feeling down so just keeping busy is the best thing for me. 
I had a bit of an upset last night when one of my kids said something quite unkind, they phoned back later and apologised but it did make me think what is the point putting everyone else first.  Think it might be time for me to put myself first.  I bought this child a present last month, not a birthday or anything but something I knew they wanted, it cost £150 and I didn't think twice but I agonise about buying myself a jar of moisturiser.  I'm not going to wallow but I am going to enjoy my new bathroom, I'm not going to dye the towels as I think my new bathroom will be worth having some nice new ones and will be a bit more generous with myself.  So I think my new motto is going to be Because I'm Worth It.  Yes I know I stole it but I think it is appropriate.
Moan over.  Hope everyone is OK and hope you are feeling better soon Wednesday.

maman

Sorry to hear you were upset pixie but I definitely agree you should start putting yourself first. I get pleasure from spoiling my children and GCs, when I get the opportunity, but it doesn't need to stop you being good to yourself too. 

I have all white towels in the bathroom. Years ago I used to use a coloured shampoo (remember Hint of a Tint?🤔)  to brighten my highlights when they started to fade. I always kept a darker towel just for that but now I can enjoy all white towels. I have darker ones in the cloakroom as they seem to get more of a hammering. I buy most of my towels in TK Maxx as they often have good quality brands at reasonable prices. 

It's not been too bad a day here after a bit of a wild night. It's just blown up and started raining in the past hour  or so. Tomorrow looks similar so I should be OK for my picnic. 😁😋

thepurplepixie

You are right Maman, I make myself a bit of a doormat and then don't like them wiping their feet on me, my fault but I am going to have a bit of balance.  Having said that DD bought me some lovely white bath towels from John Lewis at Christmas so I might get more of them.  Help John Lewis out.
Plumber came, he was recommended so I haven't arranged another quote as I thought if I was happy with his quote I'd go with him.  Anyway he seemed very nice, listened to what I wanted, suggested some things.  He gave me a "top of his head" figure, I think he wanted to know if it was worth doing the full quote if I wasn't going to be interested.  I was happy with it, definitely in the range I was thinking of.  Just looking forward to getting the full breakdown.  Can't wait now.

Wednesday2000

maman said:

It's not been too bad a day here after a bit of a wild night. It's just blown up and started raining in the past hour  or so. Tomorrow looks similar so I should be OK for my picnic. 😁😋

Does that mean it is your birthday today? Happy Birthday if it is. Where are you going for the picnic?

sarahsays

Hi Pixie - I'm another one who has no problem spending on others but agonise over anything spent on myself - particularly upsetting if they aren't grateful, although that's not why we do it. I decided halfway through last year that I would spend more on myself, but unfortunately haven't followed through on that - perhaps I just don't really need or want anything enough lol. What I have done though, is start to use my 'best' things, eg. best dinner set, best cutlery, best glasses, for everyday use, and whilst before when they came out occasionally I would wash everything by hand - I now put everything in the dishwasher and it hasn't affected them badly at all. I used to be particularly careful of the dinner service, as it's antique, but now I just think, well. if something breaks it breaks - it;s a large enough service and at least I'll have had the pleasure of using it.

sugarbaby125

Positive thought for today:

You are who you are. Love yourself, cherish your qualities and marvel at your uniqueness. The more you love and respect yourself, the more others will love and respect you. (Katie Piper)

maman

I just googled Katie Piper after reading your thought for the day sugarbaby. I hadn't realised she came from Andover and went to the same schools as my DGD. 

I don't think any of us have been spending much this past year sarah unless you're a keen online shopper but the principle of spending on yourself is a good one. Good on you for deciding to use your 'best' items. When I use my best crockery I use dishwasher liquid rather than tablets. It's less abrasive for delicate stuff. 

Yes, it is my birthday today Wednesday.  Thanks for your good wishes. We're just back from our lunchtime picnic. The weather stayed fine and sunny if ab bit blowy. I would have liked to go to the seaside but decided it would have been stretching the 'stay local' message a bit too far. Instead we drove to the river waterfront where the ferries go from (about 3 miles) and parked up watching the boats coming and going. Before that we went to M&S, bought lots of goodies that I'd normally avoid (like crisps and blueberry hot cross buns😋). Then we had a good walk around the old town and town centre before going back to the car for our picnic. Normally I'd only buy food like that on a journey so it was a lovely change. 

I went into Boots and got myself the Clinique make up remover that I wanted. I was going to buy the facewash as well but they'd changed the packaging to be more 'eco friendly' so I hesitated. I really liked the pump action dispenser as it gives exactly the right amount and you don't have to juggle with a bottle before washing your face. I'm going to see if I can find any discontinued ones online or I'll just try another brand and put it in my old dispenser like I did with the Nivea. 

I'm feeling good today. I put on my favourite black  skinny jeans, a nice Zara jumper and extra rings and bracelets and  took some care with my make up before I went out. I may be a year older but I don't have to look it or feel it! 🤣

sugarbaby125

Happy Birthday Maman, I am glad to hear that your picnic was such a success. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day   

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

Maman, I knew from my older children that Katie Piper was originally from Andover, as they too vaguely knew her in Andover. Katie Piper is a really inspirational woman. I read her autobiography a few years ago. I own her book Start Your Day With Katie which has 365 Affirmations for a year of positive thinking. I loved it so much that I did not donate it to a local charity shop after reading a page a day for a year. I bought both of the books from Poundland, so they were absolute bargains. 

My older daughter lives in Andover and my older son lives in Basingstoke. 

I got some money for Mother's Day from my older son and a present arrived in the post today for Mother's Day from my older daughter. My younger son and daughter will be celebrating Mother's Day with me on Sunday at home.    I normally spend Mother's Day with all 4 of my children, but this year that is not possible, but I am going to enjoy being with my younger son and daughter.   

I too like to buy gifts for my adult children, my grandchildren, my great grandson, my siblings and other family. I learnt through experience, to temper my need to spend large amounts of money on them and instead buy less costly, thoughtful gifts for each of them and spend the money saved on myself or add it to my savings account.