Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget - 2021

helensbiggestfan

Merry Christmas Everyone. ❤️❤️

sugarbaby125

liberty_lily said:

You look fabulous Sugarbaby 😊

Thanks Liberty Lily 

sheilavw

hope everyone had a lovely day yesterday.  I had a lovely day with family. My girls bought me a gorgeous Ted Baker jacket and some blood orange gin. The jacket will be ideal for special nights out.

liberty_lily

A lovely relaxing day was had here too - as we only had ourselves to consider we cooked and ate our Christmas Dinner really late, finally sitting down at 4pm. Prior to that we opened presents and shared a bottle of peach bellini and ate a few chocs/sweets, so that by the time dinner was ready we were starving 😁

Later we played some board games and binge watched a few episodes of Detectorists which we only recently discovered. 

We were delighted with our - pared back - gifts, particularly our bargainicious Matthew Williamson mirror which we got at a greatly reduced price (this will hang in the new cloakroom when complete), some fab books and a stunning print which DH had reframed in one of my vintage frames before wrapping up ❤️

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning everyone.  

Glad to hear you all had a good time. 

 I still love Christmas, although it's not quite as magical without my husband but I still think it's a wonderful time of the year. I had a lovely time, was spoilt rotten.  

It was the first time in 39 years that I didn't host Christmas, didn't have to cook. I have now passed the baton on to the next generation. 😂🤣. Time for them to make their own new traditions.   I shall be hosting a meal for them all on New Year's Day, probably a buffet.  

It was especially wonderful to spend time with my grandchildren they are now aged 2 and 4, perfect age for all the magic.  The 2 year old obviously doesn't really "get " Christmas yet, but he picked up the vibes from his elder brother and it was lovely to see their little faces light up and see their expressions of wonder and to see them so excited.  They even opened my presents for me.  🤣😂.  So as I say I hardly lifted a finger.  

I nipped to Aldi for a few bits this morning but I have no intention of battling the shops in search of bargains.  I do need to order a washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher but I shall buy those online.  I can do that later this afternoon.  

Still coughing a bit but feeling tons better.  Just enjoying myself pottering about, catching up with some tv and generally taking it easy.  

Wednesday2000

Sheila - I don't really like gin, but blood orange flavour sounds very nice!

Speaking of alcohol, I am considering doing Dry January. My younger brother is doing it as he got diagnosed prediabetic recently. I know my Hba1C blood test in 2021 came back okay and I asked about my 2022 one and they said it wasn't tested because they didn't think there was a need to. I'm not sure what that means, maybe because my cholesterol was okay?

I am in a tidying and decluttering mood. I have donations bags ready to go, but I'm not finished yet. I am going to pop to Coop and I was going to see if the charity shop near me is open and if they are check what hours they are open this week.

We have been watching the Netflix show Unabomber - In His Own Words, not very festive I know, but interesting!

liberty_lily

My champagne moment today - 

Brightening up a horrid stormy day by placing our sunny yellow Christmas gift vase (reduced from £75 to £30 😉) complete with garden scavenged twigs and faux berries on the kitchen island....it's made me feel happier already, like Spring is on its way!

Happy New Year from Wales 🎆🎇

helensbiggestfan

Just dropping by to wish you all the very best for 2023.  

I know it hasn't been the best of years for some of us, and without wishing to be too negative I do think there will be many more challenges to come next year.  I hope we can all find the courage and  resilience to face those challenges.  

I have to say that, in the end, 2022 was pretty awesome for me, although it didn't start well and there were several dips along the way, when I faced some stressful situations.  But.....I got there in the end.  The house move went through smoothly and I truly love it here.  

My old mantra "Persistence Pays Off" worked its magic again.  

And now.......I am looking forward to 2023 with relish.  New house, new life.  And yes 🥂 and 💃 and 💐 all the way.....ok prosecco. 😂🤣. I am raring to go.  Can't wait to get off the starting grid.  

In fact I have made preparations already.   I have got the Lighthouse charity shop people coming to pick up some unwanted furniture on Monday.  I want clear spaces around me. Once the extra has gone I'm going to rearrange the rooms, have a further declutter and then treat myself to some new accessories.

The new washing machine and tumble dryer are booked to arrive Tuesday and my car is booked for its MOT on Saturday.  I am bursting with new plans and ideas, just need to clear the decks first.  

Went to my favourite restaurant for lunch yesterday. Today I have been to Aldi and stocked up with a few extra goodies ready for me hosting a family party tomorrow.  I love New Year, all that promise of new beginnings.  

So....

Happy  New Year to one and all. 🥂💃.  See you on the other side. 😉

newroadahead

Happy New Year Helen and all posters on this thread 
I follow regularly but don't often post

NRA x

sugarbaby125

My Champagne moments throughout 2022:

My Great-granddaughter was born. 

After waiting almost 6 months for my colposcopy, I finally got the news that I was waiting for. Although I had worrying changes in the cells of my cervix, I did not have any sign of cervical cancer. 

My grandson had quite a large cyst removed from his head under general anesthetic which was benign. The wound has healed and he has a scar but no other signs of the cyst. 

I was not only accepted onto the playwriting course Neighbourhood Voices, I wrote my 1st play and submitted it to Alisha long before the deadline. I also submitted my play to The Bread and Roses Theatre Playwriting competition.  I went to 2 free Neighbourhood Voices events at The Sea Containers Hotel. 

I entered a sample of my climate change monologue for the One Voice: Whose Planet Are You On? competition with The Old Vic. 

I joined Matinee Idols with The Old Vic.  I went to 4 really interesting Matinee Idols events. 

I joined another seat filler organisation and saved a small fortune on 25 theatre tickets through them. 

I also went to 6 plays at The Young Vic. 7 plays at The Old Vic. 1 play at The Kiln Theatre. 5 plays at The Bush theatre and a mixture of 9 events at Streatham Space Project including 2 plays, comedy evenings, Vocal and Verses and Tracks on Tap. 5 plays at The National Theatre, 4 musicals at West End Theatres in London. I went to an author question and answer session and book signing event with Black Ballad. I went to 4  free events at Brixton Library. I took part in 2 poetry events at Brixton library and Minet library for Black History Month where I performed some of my poetry. I took part in 6 Poets Corner poetry Open Mic events at Black Cultural Archives. I went to 2 free Open Mic Poetry Foyer events at Theatre Peckham. 


I went for a free day trip to Hampton Court Palace with a group of adults from the Blackfriars Settlement mental health and wellbeing discussion group. 

I had 7 Groupon restaurant meals with either my son or daughter. 

I saw 15 films at Streatham Odeon. 

I saw 10 films at The Ritzy cinema and also bought Picturehouse membership for a year using my Tesco Clubcard vouchers. 

I read 24 books, I am currently reading my 25th book. 

I also watched 3 plays online with National Theatre online compliments of Neighbourhood Voices arranging free membership for a year. 

I binge watched so many new programmes and watched all my old favourites as well throughout 2022. There are simply too many to list.

2022 has been the best year of my life so far, despite some negatives. I spent 2022 being the busiest I have ever been, but I spent my time doing all of the things that bring me real joy, contentment and enjoyment.