Frump to Fab 2022 - The Big One

Wednesday2000

Liberty Lily - those flowers are lovely.

I got a letter from the DWP to send an updated form for PIP. I had a woman from the DABD help me fill in the form last year but she said she can't help me again as I am in a new area. I tried to contact someone near here, but he has a long waiting list. I cannot remember how she phrased the answers but I know there is a specific way to do it. I was on medication last year and I can't remember at all, annoyingly. I assume I won't get it this time. 

I am going into London today to meet the couple I met last year. This was the weekend I was supposed to be going to Brighton so I thought I would plan to do something else instead. The train will get there a bit early so I will have a mooch around the charity shops there and go into Superdrug as well.

It definitely feels chillier, which I like as I love autumn.:)

helensbiggestfan

Good morning lovely ladies.  

Good luck with the PIP claim.  It's a shame you can't get someone to help you with the form, they aren't easy.  

Well good news I have lost a further 2lb, wahoo.  Now takes me comfortably over the half stone mark.  Also lost 3 inches off my waist already.  I'm so chuffed.  More to the point my blood sugar levels are coming down too.  

Just done a 30 minute gentle workout, next breakfast then a walk to the shops.  Will take the scenic route to add to my step count.  The hopefully gardening and some more skip loading.  The odd job man came and did all the heavy stuff. I have got it for another few days yet so I can pace myself.  Just do a bit each day.  

I have to confess it's lovely to see it all leave the house, so liberating.......😁

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

Thank you Sheila

Wednesday, the fear of completing PIP forms and the PIP review forms are worse than the actual filling in of the forms. I did my PIP form and my review forms by myself, so it can be done. It is nerve wracking doing the initial PIP form, but I always photocopy any forms I complete for the DWP and then when it comes to doing reviews, it is easy to have the information to hand and add any additional health issues that may have developed or any new prescribed medication since my last review. 

Helen, fantastic news about the other 2lbs of weight loss and the 3 inches off your waist.   

My grandson has Covid-19 now, so I have to postpone my visit to see my family in Andover until early October. Thank goodness he only has mild symptoms. 

sheilavw

i agree pip forms are difficult. I had to complete forms for my Brother who has Downs Syndrome a couple of years ago. It was a massive booklet. My late Mum always did the paperwork. Well done LL on the weight loss. So sorry your Grandson has covid Sugarbaby. I am not hearing as much about covid around here. Surely it has to get less at some point

Wednesday2000

Well done on the weight loss LL.

I wish I had photocopied my previous Pip form. I can't remember exactly what the woman wrote, but I remember thinking I would not have worded it like that when I read it, but that was obviously the way you were supposed to do it.

That is good that you did it yourself Sugarbaby. I did feel a lot of anxiety when I got the letter from the DWP.

My brother-in-law has a horrible health condition and he was awarded 0 points recently for Pip so it was how he had phrased it in the wrong way. It is a ridiculous way of "helping" people who need it by making it as complicated as possible. I'm going to read through the guides on how to fill out Pip and then do a draft but not fill out the form. If I haven't heard from the local person nearer to the date I will have to fill it the form myself and send it in.

I went out yesterday and had a nice lunch and catch up with my friends, but I felt like I had caught a chill when I got home. The weather kept changing from warm to cold all day and I was sitting in an outdoor cafe for a few hours. I felt like I had fibro/muscle pain and got into bed early. I haven't felt that bad in ages. I feel okay today. I'm just about to have a hot bath and then go for a short walk to make sure my muscles don't seize up any more.

We were going to take our dog out for a long walk today, but I'm not feeling up to it. She wasn't feeling well last night either as she had an upset stomach so she is still asleep. I am going to do some winter prep today as it does feel chillier. I'm moving all my winter jumpers and cardigans into my main wardrobe, airing our warm dressing gowns and putting our hot water bottles in the kitchen downstairs.

helensbiggestfan

Ha ha. Wednesday.  I'm just taking a break after doing exactly what you have been doing.  Digging out my warm sweaters etc.  It sounds like your fibro flare up was triggered by getting a bit chilled.  It's what finishes me.  Mine has been quite bad this week and I know it's down to fluctuating temperatures, hence the need to organise my autumn/winter wardrobe.  

I have decided that I need warmer trousers etc for every day.  I do find jeans very cold against my legs, even with tights underneath. And when I do layer up I often feel like the Michelin Man.  I do have some smart wool trousers but need something a bit more practical for everyday.  Warm fleece joggers are ok for round the house but I need something a bit more dressy.  Has anyone tried fleece lined jeans.  I often see nice warm moleskin trousers or thick cords for men but so far I've not really seen much for women.  Any ideas.  I do sometimes wear warm maxi skirts or dresses with leggings or tights but I fancy something "non skirt" 

It's a nice day here, bright and sunny although a bit chilly yet.  Perfect skip filling weather.  😂

Wednesday2000

helensbiggestfan said:

Ha ha. Wednesday.  I'm just taking a break after doing exactly what you have been doing.  Digging out my warm sweaters etc.  It sounds like your fibro flare up was triggered by getting a bit chilled.  It's what finishes me.  Mine has been quite bad this week and I know it's down to fluctuating temperatures, hence the need to organise my autumn/winter wardrobe.  

I have decided that I need warmer trousers etc for every day.  I do find jeans very cold against my legs, even with tights underneath. And when I do layer up I often feel like the Michelin Man.  I do have some smart wool trousers but need something a bit more practical for everyday.  Warm fleece joggers are ok for round the house but I need something a bit more dressy.  Has anyone tried fleece lined jeans.  I often see nice warm moleskin trousers or thick cords for men but so far I've not really seen much for women.  Any ideas.  I do sometimes wear warm maxi skirts or dresses with leggings or tights but I fancy something "non skirt" 

It's a nice day here, bright and sunny although a bit chilly yet.  Perfect skip filling weather.  😂

Did you say you had a date to move house yet?

It is true that I do not like the cold anymore, well my body doesn't. It is actually a lovely day here, sunny and bright with just a bit of a chill. I wear thermal leggings in bed or around the house when it is really cold. I  used to find scarves the most helpful when I was very unwell a few years ago. I have dug them out and need to remember to take one with me if I go out and the weather is anything like it was yesterday.

I just sorted out my winter stuff. It didn't take long as I did a wardrobe declutter not so long ago.I have 11 warm cardigans/jumpers/hoodies which is a lot for me. I have three thermal tops and a few thinner jumpers so layering shouldn't be a problem. I'm very organised this year for the change in season.

I'm about to make some tomato and onion soup. I need to join you and Sugarbaby on the weight loss.

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies,

On Thursday evening I went to The Sea Containers Hotel to watch a show called Uncontained. It was a mixture of singing, dancing, stand-up comedy, a comedy sketch with 3 cats and a rat and 2 spoken word artistes all performed by members of Taking Part which is the acting equivalent of Neighbourhood Voices run by The Young Vic. I really enjoyed all aspects of the show, and I had a good laugh, and I was thoroughly entertained. I would give this show 9.5/10    

The added bonus was that food and soft drinks were laid on for us. The food was served hot and there was falafel, mini burgers and mini fish and chips, all of which were delicious.

On Friday evening I went to The Jermyn Street Theatre to watch the play Love All by Dorothy L. Sayers. It was a really funny play and it had really strong female characters in this play. Once again, I was laughing aloud again and again with the rest of the audience. The 1930's costumes for both the male and the female characters were so sumptuous and glamorous. It is a lovely, well appointed small theatre with only 70 seats, but this made the actors performances even more intimate. I would give this play 9.5/10    I got my ticket for only £4 but it was worth £29 (concession ticket).    

On Saturday afternoon I went to see the play The P Word at The Bush Theatre. It is a play about 2 gay, Asian, Muslim men. It was such a powerful indictment about how asylum seekers are treated in Britain, and it also shed light on the awful plight of gay Asian, Muslim men in countries around the world that feel it is their right to punish gay men and sometimes even kill gay men. I was both moved and entertained, as there is so many comedic moments in the play that add levity to the sombre subject matters. I really enjoyed this play and for me it was a 10/10 having exceeded all of my expectations.     I paid £12 for my ticket by booking it weeks in advance otherwise my concession ticket would have cost me £20.  

I had to go to the launderette this morning to dry a large load of black clothing. My son kindly took the wet laundry to the launderette for me and then picked up the bag of dry laundry for me, as it was too heavy for me to manage.

I have been busy washing towels and tea towels today and will dry them at the launderette tomorrow morning with my son's help. I also cooked a chilli with lean minced steak, a yellow and orange sweet pepper, red onion, mushrooms and red kidney beans in a chilli sauce with beef gravy. 

Now, I am relaxing watching a documentary about Muhammed Ali. 

 

liberty_lily

Thanks for your compliments, ladies 😊 We haven't had fresh flowers in the house for a while so it's lovely to have them brightening the place again!

Sorry to hear your grandson has covid, Sugarbaby, but glad he only has mild symptoms. I hope he makes a speedy recovery!

DH and I had it fairly badly in August - we were barely able to get out of bed for three weeks (just struggling down stairs to let the dogs out/feed them). I fainted twice and couldn't manage to eat anything except a tiny bit of fruit for six days. Our appetites have only gradually returned and are still not completely back to normal 🙄

sugarbaby125

Liberty Lily, I am sorry that you and your husband both had such an ordeal with Covid-19. I hope that eventually any lingering effects will disappear.