Frump to Fab 2022 - The Big One

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning lovely ladies......

sorry I've been awol again.  Tempus Fugit and all that.

I wont  reply to all your individual posts in detail but good to see you are all keeping up with your projects, writing, fabbing, house fabbing etc.  💐 to all those who are struggling with health/sleep issues. Hope you all feel better soon. 

Still awaiting legal completion ....gawd but it's dragging on. Skip loaded and I've a slot booked  at the recycling plant on Tuesday for old paints, solvents etc. I've now started on the packing, a few boxes each day, decluttering as I go. Need to do another wardrobe sweep. 

News update.......First the negatives. I am having some dental problems. (Again). Currently taking antibiotics for an infected tooth, they are making me feel awful. Once the infection clears I shall need root canal work. Fun!!!!   Also constantly knackered, but like some of you,  I have been having sleep issues so hardly surprising. Also fibro and IBS flare ups.  So  it's all been a bit woe is me.......lol.  Just need to stay positive and focussed, this too shall pass.....

On a more positive note I have lost 10lbs now and I do feel better for it, my knee.is especially grateful.  And as a bonus, I shall soon be able to fit into that wardrobe full of nice clothes, some of which I haven't even worn yet. 

This week I had my hair cut, although I have decided to try and grow it a bit so it was really more of a trim and shape up.  The plan is less of a Judi Dench crop and more a sort of Mid length bob.  Will see how it goes. 

Picked up some nice chazza bargains this week.  After weeks/months of slim pickings I hit the jackpot this week.  Navy cashmere sweater £6, A beautiful 38 piece China dinner service for £9 and wait for it, a pretty brooch for 50p. It was very dirty but I guessed it might be silver. My neighbour assured me the stones are diamonds.  Gave it a good clean and it's lovely.  The diamonds are tiny, just little chips really so probably not worth a lot money wise but it's a very pretty piece.  Just goes to show you never know what's out there.  

Yesterday I went for a massage.  Today I'm going to give myself a facial, do a bit of batch cooking, a bit of sewing and just generally potter about and catch up with myself.  

Definitely autumnal here. Trying to be sensible with the heating of course but it's a 1930s house, single brick (no cavity) so it can be quite chilly so "layering up" alone isn't quite enough. I am cutting back where possible, setting the thermostat lower and being frugal with energy hungry electrical appliances such as the washing machine and tumble dryer. 

I'm not wealthy but I do consider myself very fortunate, at least I can both heat and eat.  A lot of people are going to be in for a very tough time.  

It's so depressing that we are facing this kind of austerity again.  Just have to hope it doesn't go on for too long. I'm just going to do my best to keep myself busy, stay focussed and try to remain positive and optimistic.  

Keeeeep fabbing. It doesn't need to be expensive and it can lift the spirits.  

Floss

chanie said:

 ....  We have a Hive thermostat, which we got with our boiler and it’s great, as we can control it from our phones, but I need to have a look at it in a bit more detail.  

I have a Hive  and love that I can set different schedules for days I am in the office, days I am at home & weekends. It's well worth sitting down & doing that, if nothing else!

Wednesday2000

Hello LL, lovely to "see" you again. Sorry you aren't feeling well at the moment, but brilliant on the weight loss. What an amazing find with the brooch.

I'm up early as I'm off to my Covid booster jab today. I am going to walk to my appointment to get my steps in and then I might take myself out for lunch afterwards on a me date. I am going to take paracetamol and hope that I don't get a bad reaction as I know I have with at least one of my Covid jabs and definitely have with my flu jabs in the past. 

I have to redo my shed with painting and put the door handles back on and we are getting our kitchen door fitted this coming week too. I have a play too and we are going to go for cake and tea before that and then for dinner which will be nice. I have bought quite a few new chazzer bits recently as this area is full to the brim with lovely charity shops so I will wear a new outfit for the play.:)

maman

Good to hear from you @helensbiggestfan. You seem to be plodding on despite health issues. Weightloss is great! Well done! 👏🏼

Our home isn't particularly well insulated either as it has single glazing although we do have cavity wall and roof insulation. As we live in a conservation area, we'd have to have bespoke wooden windows made if we wanted double glazing. It is worth considering even if for the most persistent offender like the bay window in the dining room. 🤔 Have you got somewhere lined up for when your bungalow is eventually sold? 

So far, it hasn't been too cold here in the south. We've just put the heating for a quick burst on a couple of damp, dreary days. The last two evenings I have used my new heated throw. I'm really pleased with it although it's so comfortable it sends me to sleep. 🤣

Although I think Judi Dench has got her pixie hair just about right for her, in general, I don't like the 'short back and sides' look that many older women seem to have adopted. It might be low maintenance, but I think it looks harsh. I have a shortish bob, just wish it was thicker. I'd love to experiment with some hair extensions. I'm sure that's what the 'clebs' do. 😁

Good to know you've found a rich vein of charity shops in your new area @Wednesday2000. We're pretty lucky around here too. As you said @helensbiggestfan, you have to wait for the jackpot! I regularly browse in the local shopping centre and sometimes I'm lucky. So many of my favourite items are from the CS.  I also like that it makes for a cheap treat. 😊

I'm just pottering today too. It's a joy after a really busy period. 

liberty_lily

Glad to see you posting again, Helen 🙂 Sorry to hear about your health and dental issues - I think root canal work these days is less to be feared than previously (in a past life I knew a dentist's wife who scared me to death with her stories 🙄) as I had an extensive root canal procedures earlier this year and didn't find it at all painful (only on my purse as my local - private - dentist charges £250 per hour for root canal work 😳)

Maman, years ago when I was a fashion student I had hair extensions. Back then there was one place famous for them (Antenna in Kensington Church Street) and I saved for ages to afford the process which took many hours to achieve. I had them done twice and loved the result. I might see if I can find a pic 😉

We've been very busy with our building work - all the old, disintegrating frontage is now removed and swathed in tarpaulin (not great timing at this changeable time of year!) and over the next three weeks we'll be putting in the new double glazed wall of windows....I can't wait. Then - once DH has returned from his week in Brighton doing DS's bathroom - we'll need to concentrate on the internals including the much longed for cloakroom. It's been a long time coming, but hopefully it'll all be ready in time for Christmas 😁

The last piece of larger furniture we're selling is about to be collected which means we'll have just the necessary items in the new living room once completed 😉

I just totted up what the sold items come to....£1765 😃

helensbiggestfan

Maman.  Funny you should mention hair extensions.  I've been thinking along similar lines,   My hair is like a baby's.  Fine and silky soft,  it was ok when I had masses of it, it was shiny and lustrous 😂 but as I've got older there just isn't as much of it,  

As I understand it hair extensions can be quite damaging to your existing hair. Some celebs use something called "hair toppers". Jane Fonda for sure. they just clip on, my hairdresser suggested I try one.  I'll see how I go.  I'm ok for now but it might be necessary if I lose much more hair.  

Currently I can make mine look thicker by blow drying with mousse.  I sometimes also use something called Mirage Hair Building Fibres.  Again hair dresser suggested them. They are very good. They work by attaching to the hair follicle to avoid that awful "pink scalp" look.   You just sprinkle them onto your scalp where required and massage them in. 

Since I stopped dying my hair it is actually in much better condition and although I doubt it's growing thicker it has stopped breaking off at the hairline, so it's obviously stronger and healthier than it was.  I think all the stress of caring for my husband and his subsequent death didn't help but my hair does seem better these days.  I try to incorporate a fair bit of oily fish in my diet and I think that helps too, as well as vitamins, C& D. My nails are definitely stronger than they were too so I must be doing something right.  It's just my teeth now......and they are beyond redemption.  I have a mouthful of crowns and they are nearing the end of their lifespan.  I've always had "difficult" teeth but they really started their downward spiral after I had my second child, he must have taken all my calcium.   They  looked nice and  people often used to complement me but it was all a lie. 

My teeth were too soft and crumbly, plus my roof arch is very small so the teeth were a bit crowded. When I was a child they didn't do things like retainers. And my parents weren't exactly pro active about ensuring I received good dental care.  

Both my sons needed retainers so I made sure they got better treatment than I had had as a child.    My eldest son is pushing 40 and has beautiful teeth, only one small filling.  My youngest son is not quite so lucky, he already has a few crowns so he's obviously drawn the short straw and inherited my weak chalky teeth.  

 As I say, I never had good teeth I just had a rich dentist. 😂🤣. Over the years they have cost me a small fortune,  

Once I've moved and got myself settled I'm going to finally "bite the bullet" (lol) and get them sorted.  Hopefully this time next year I shall be sporting a Hollywood smile that will put Tom Cruise to shame.  

Lily......I understand what you mean about dental fees.  I have had a rough estimate from my dentist for implants.  I'm afraid there goes my world cruise. Can't have both, at least not for the foreseeable future.  I will have made a nice little profit on this house and instead of re-investing the profits in another large house I shall downsize and invest some of the profits in me.  😂🤣

helensbiggestfan

Lily. Well done on the profits selling your excess furniture. You have obviously got a good eye.  Maybe you should start your antiques business again when you've finished your renovations.  

helensbiggestfan

Maman.....one of the improvements I made to this house was to replace two large wooden single glazed windows at the front of the house, one a huge three point bay window. They were the only single glazed windows left, the back of the house already been done.  They were very pretty, Georgian style with the proper bubble glass but they had seen better days.   

 I had to have the replacements specially made. They couldnt replicate the bubble panes but they did copy the original style, even down to the size of the window panes, so they do look in keeping.  They weren't cheap because they had to be custom made. Luckily I could have pvc ones because hardwood would have been astronomical. The new ones are triple AAA rated and have made a huge difference,  

Wednesday2000

I just got the Moderna jab. The staff there said not many people are reporting side effects from having it. I feel fine at the moment. I stopped in at a cafe on the way home and had a vegan bacon sandwich, a slice of chocolate cake and a beer! I needed a reward, haha.

I downloaded two more autobiographies after reading the Demi Moore book recently. Jessica Simpson and Leah Remini. I got them from Z-Library which has lots of free ebooks. I will save quite a bit of money using that as I spend loads on books from Amazon normally.

I did see a Chesterfield sofa at a second hand shop walking back. It is in good condition but it cost nearly £500. I'm not sure if that is a good price or not?

liberty_lily

helensbiggestfan said:

Lily. Well done on the profits selling your excess furniture. You have obviously got a good eye.  Maybe you should start your antiques business again when you've finished your renovations.  

Funny you should say that, Helen - DH would love to do that kind of thing again, although we didn't have much success when he decided to rent a room in a local antiques centre here. I think that was mainly because our stock (predominantly Arts & Crafts Movement/Art Nouveau) was the wrong style for this part of the UK 🙄 When we took the decision to give up, most of our remaining furniture and larger decorative pieces were sold to another dealer who was taking them back to Ireland. 

Actually, we potentially have bigger plans/changes on the cards but we're going to wait till the new year to make a definite decision 😉