Frump to Fab 2022 - The Big One

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning lovely ladies.  

Hope you are all ok, safe, warm and cosy.  It's windy here (of course).  We are in the amber zone, As you know I had work done on my roof before the winter set in and it has survived the last couple of storms ok, so just keeping my fingers crossed it is all nice and secure.  

 When I'm moved in to this house in 2018 I immediately had the very large overgrown conifer hedge removed and a couple trees that I thought were too close to the house.  Glad I did.  I think I'll probably lose a couple of fence panels that are past their sell by date. I've been waiting for the Viking to replace them anyway so that's already budgeted for.   Other than that, I'll just  have to wait and see.  

Not only were hedge and trees robbing the house of light I was concerned about their safety.  I have replanted of course and the new saplings are doing well.  They are still staked up, so should be ok.  

 

I had a brainwave yesterday. I was rummaging in the cupboard under the stairs which was full of junk and noticed it had a hanging rail which I had forgotten all about,  so this Morning I have cleaned it all out and hung all my long heavy winter coats in there, freeing up space in my wardrobe.  Much better arrangement.  Suitcases at the back, coats at the front.  A bit of space at the bottom for some shoes. Dead chuffed.  

I treated myself to some bits in Asda the other day, new pjs, and some "at home" leisurewear.  I really was looking for bras but couldn't see what I wanted so I have ordered a couple from eBay.  

 I am sooooo looking forward to spring/summer.  

chanie

@helensbiggestfan that’s great use of space under your stairs, particularly as coats and luggage can be quite difficult items to find storage for.  

I think the storm had pretty much passed us by, as we’ve been downgraded to an amber level now.  Next doors fence was wobbling like crazy and we were surprised it held out, but it has.  

Today ended up being a duvet day for me.  I had booked the day off work and was going to take the children out somewhere, but didn’t due to the weather.  Normally Id think a duvet day was a wasted day, but this one is much needed.

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies, 

I had some more of the birthday presents I have bought for my daughter's 30th birthday in May delivered today. I realised that I had too many presents to safely hide where she could not accidentally view them, so I had no choice but to wrap some of her presents today. I need to buy more birthday gift wrap and gift bags. 

It is taking more effort to buy 30 gifts for my daughter, as she has very specific tastes and there are so many things like jewellery, make up, nail polish, nail art and books that she has lost interest in now. This really narrows the field for me in choosing gifts for her. I have not even found 15 gifts yet, so I just have to keep going and hope I reach my target. 

I hope everyone is safe and well in their individual homes as the UK battles it's way through storm after storm. 

chanie

@sugarbaby125 Good idea to wrap the presents to keep them away from prying eyes!  It’s a shame your daughters tastes have changed quite and you can’t get her things that you normally would (I dislike it when my childrens tastes change and they grow out of things they like 🤣).  

I know you will sort out some amazing gifts, but here are a few ideas, which may inspire you: edibles, 30 mug/glass, key ring, pen, travel card holder, book mark, flowers, socks, hair accessories, phone charger, hand cream, sheet face masks/socks, hair clips, lip scrub.  

sugarbaby125

Thanks Chanie, those are really good suggestions.  I have got her a pack of 5 pairs of M & S women's socks, a M & S high impact sports bra and  a few pairs of M & S women's pyjamas. all at bargain prices from eBay. 

I am going to take a trip to my local Card Factory for items like the 30 cup etc and then I need a trip to a large local Poundland to try to find a few inexpensive gifts if I am lucky. 

chanie

@sugarbaby125 what about getting your daughter a few 1990s themed items, as it’s the decade she was born in?  Friends and Harry Potter were in the 1990s and there are lots of items in shops.

sugarbaby125

Thanks for the suggestion Chanie, but my daughter was never a fan of Friends or Harry Potter. I cannot think of anything from the 90's era that my daughter is particularly interested in.   

helensbiggestfan

Good afternoon lovely ladies. 

How are we all.  I have been busy, but don't ask me what with, because I don't seem to have achieved much.  Covid has made me slow right down, and I've become very good at procrastinating,  

"Busy doing nothing, working the whole day through, 
tryjng to find lots of things not to do"......love that song, so cheerful.  

Just back from the dentist, popped into the chazzer on the way back.  Picked up a nice cushion and a picture £3 Total.  

Cold wind still so I am going to do a bit of online shopping later, nice and civilised, with my feet up and a cup of tea.  Might also do a bit of admin and paperwork whilst I watch a film.  

Can recommend "The Tinder Swindler" and "Inventing  Anna".  Netflix.  Enjoyed them both.  My son is also allowing me to piggyback his subscription to the Disney channel.  Some good stuff on there too. 

So looking forward to spring though, I'm fed up with hibernating. 😉

Glad covid restrictions are lifting. Of course I am still going to be careful but as I'm a bit long in the tooth for clubbing and can avoid public transport easily enough I feel happy at the thought of getting out and about a bit more.  There's a big wide world out there, I've missed it.  I've been happy enough during all the periods of isolation, but I'm done with living like a hermit. 

I would like to join a gym and maybe take up dance classes but I might give it another couple of months yet, see how it goes.  Hopefully a couple of nice uk holidays, weekend breaks etc.  I'm not fussed about big foreign trips just yet.  I can wait. 

 I did see a fantastic trip to Japan, it's on my bucket list.  A lot of pennies though.  Need to save up for that and unfortunately I do need some pretty extensive dental work first.  Todays visit was to refix a crown that had dropped out. Most of my crowns are coming to the end their lifespan, they aren't going to last forever.  

It's sad but true .....the older I get the more high maintenance I become,  it's like running a classic  car, there always something that needs tweaking.  😂🤣

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies, 

Just a heads up for cinema lovers. This Saturday 26th February all Cineworld and Picturehouse cinemas are having a one day sale. All tickets are only £3 each across both chains. If you book online there is a 70p booking fee.   

I booked to see the film Parallel Mothers at the Ritzy cinema in Brixton on Saturday at this bargain price. I never normally go to the Ritzy which is a Picturehouse cinema, because it's prices are too expensive for my tastes. so this is a real treat for me, as I get to watch a film I really wanted to see which was not being shown at my local Odeon, which I visit frequently due to their low ticket prices. 

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

Thanks to my son waking me up at 5.05am this morning and breaking my sleep, I slept through my alarm for 8.30am. I had a meeting with Will for the Windrush Project. This project is in conjunction with the Primary school next door to Blackfriars Settlement. I did not wake up to 9.30am. I had a quick freshen up, brushed my teeth, got dressed at lightning speed and headed out the door. I managed to get to Blackfriars Settlement for 10.30am. After a quick chat about what we had been up to since our last meeting, Will set up the mic, did a sound check with me, then he began to record my second hand oral history of my parents journey to England from Montserrat. Then I moved on to their life in England and why they were so shocked not to be accepted in England, their Motherland. Will is going to edit the sound track of me, then send me a copy. He will share my recollections with the school children, then come back to me with the children's questions. 

I went to Theatre Peckham this evening for the Poetry Foyer Open Mic event. It was such a positive, fantastic evening. It was jam packed, so when I went up to perform my poem I Need To Feel Free, I felt nervous, but I did not let my nerves show. 

There were so many poets who were far more skilled and have more experience than me, but I clapped, clicked my fingers and whooped with delight for all of the other poets.  I had 6 people come up to me to praise me in the break, which was so gratifying, as I was in such edifying company tonight.