Frump to Fab 2022 - The Big One

helensbiggestfan

Hello Lovely Ladies.  

Finally. I have internet access.  

Welcome Murphybear.  What a fantastic achievement, well done you.  

Lily......love that mirror.  

I am now moved into my new home.  It's warm and cosy. It is better insulated than my old house, which was very pretty but I have to admit it was a cold drafty money pit.  And money pits are a luxury I can no longer afford.  😂. My old bones need warmth. 

I love it here, it's a charming bungalow (very superior for a rental) in a quiet cul de sac. it's nicely decorated and It has literally everything within walking distance plus an excellent bus service into the city.   I shall be very happy here for a while.  It is just a few streets away from our old family home so I really do feel that I have come home, as my sister said, I have come full circle.  

Not sure how long I'll be here. I've signed up for a six month lease, with a monthly rolling contact thereafter.  So nice and flexible. I Will be looking for my next purchase but I can take my time.  

Today I am into day 3 of a nasty cold so don't feel (or look) my best. Last night was dire, so today I'm  just taking it easy, and am gradually starting to feel human again. Hopefully I should be ok for Christmas. 

 Like many of you have mentioned I too have pared back this year.  Although to be honest I do enjoy spoiling my family.  For the first time in 39 years I will not be cooking Christmas dinner.  I have passed the baton on to my eldest son and DIL.  It's their turn now.  The grandchildren are now 4 and 2 and it's time for them to start their own family traditions.  

Speaking of traditions. 

It's that time of year again, the winter solstice, the turn of the year.  A time when I like to review the year, to look back on my achievements and start thinking about setting goals for next year.  

As you know this year my mantra was "radical transformation". Well you don't get more radical than selling your home and moving into rented accommodation. It was stressful at times, especially as I am a solo now and no longer have a partner to help and/or bounce ideas off.   But I did it, stood on my own two feet, without leaning on my boys for help,  I took my time and took it step by step.  It has really boosted my confidence.  The years of  caring, widowhood, covid  and various ailments took their toll and I was beginning to feel very depleted and had lost some confidence but single-handedly engineering the move was just what I needed to boost my morale. I am ready to move mountains...lol. 

So without any further ado I shall introduce my new mantra for next year ....it is "blossom". I shall blossom and grow. 

 My time here may be temporary but I shall bloom where I am planted. I know I will thrive.  I have great plans and big goals next year.  I am going to treat the next 6 months as a sabbatical, no diy or big gardening projects - just focussing on me, travel, fun, adventures and not forgetting finally plucking up the courage and tackling my teeth.  😱.  I made a healthy profit on my house, more than I anticipated, so now it's time to invest some of it in me.  😉.  A world cruise or teeth. 😂🤣.  I'm afraid i am going to be boring and sensible, it has to be my teeth.  

Exciting times ahead, just need to beat this lurgy, get the festivities out of the way and then get cracking. 

helensbiggestfan

BTW. I came upon a wonderful quote by Michael Caine ........he reckons it has been his life's motto.  

"Never look back in anger, always look forward with hope and never think small".  

Wise words.

I have a plaque in my kitchen - it says "If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough". 

This year I dreamt big and took a huge leap of faith.  It has paid off with knobs on. 

So ladies let's make sure we dream big in 2023.  

In the meantime I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.  ❤️

sugarbaby125

Welcome back Helen. I am so glad that your house move has gone so well for you and well done for doing all of the hard work and organisation yourself. Enjoy your cosy, warm new rented home. 

liberty_lily

Thank you ladies 😁 

Glad you're settled in Helen 😊

leftatthetrafficlights

Your new place sounds perfect for you @helensbiggestfan! 🙌 glad it all worked out 😁 

I've read along this year but not posted much as due to a variety of reasons my fabbing has been limited - however, I'm ready to start in earnest now so will be much more active on next year's thread! 😁

liberty_lily

Glad to have you on board with the fabbing, leftatthetrafficlights 😁

As for most I imagine, it's going to be a busy day today at the old mill - logs to bring in, gifts (just for us two so not too many!) to wrap, light fittings to put up in the newly (almost) finished living areas and later the M&S food order to collect 😋 Fortunately DH is off to help with all of that!

Talking of gifts - because of the blooming Royal Mail strikes we posted ours to family via DPD local this year and I can thoroughly recommend the service as they were delivered within two days of dropping off and at less than £7 for parcels up to 20kg great value for money too 😃

Wednesday2000

Nice to see you back Helensbiggestfan. Your new place sounds lovely.

I just went to drop off a massive donation bag to a charity shop and then went to buy a few bits from Coop. I have been doing my usual thing of not taking my makeup off before bed so that has to stop! I take my moisturiser and everything out of the drawer and then leave all my stuff in the bathroom, but then end up forgetting to do it or falling asleep! I have a problem with forgetting to take my thyroid meds first thing in the morning too but I have moved the tablets to my desk with my laptop on as I always check my emails and bank account first thing. That has helped.

I have started the £1 a day saving challenge for Christmas 2023 and I added some money already to the box to start as I mean to go on. £12 in there now.:)

I will probably look for a new NYE outfit after Xmas as I assume people will be donating afterwards. I wanted to get into the habit of getting regular manicures next year too, but I might get my nails done for that night.

Merry Christmas to all on here. 

chanie

@helensbiggestfan your new home founds lovely and you have lots to look forward to.  

@Wednesday2000 i read a tip about taking your make up off as soon as you get home, before you get too tired.

i went out today to do some more Christmas shopping and it was so busy and traffic was horrendous.  i’m normally well sorted by now but all of my energy and money went on our loft extension, so Christmas took a backseat.  

Some news from me… i have a new job.  i know i’ve moved around loads in recent years (5 jobs in 5 years!!) and i was quite happy in my current job, but a role came up they was too good an opportunity to turn down.  i start in a couple of weeks time.

in case i don’t ‘see’ any of you before the big day, happy Christmas to you all.

sheilavw

hi Welcome back Helensbiggestfan. Your new home sounds perfect. Nice to catch up on here.I have been to Lapland Uk with my Daughters and Grandson. It was absolutely amazing! We went on Wednesday.However, my youngest who teaches part time, and does part time on childrens character visits, and Christmas grottos , events etc had to stop off at one of her sites on route. We stayed at a beautiful hotel Monday after visiting her site, it was near Wellingborough. A mooch around a nearby shopping centre Tuesday then on to my eldest Daugthers. Another hotel stay near to Lapland Uk Tuesday. Home now and ready for the festivities.

Happy Christmas to you all x

liberty_lily

Wednesday, we're going to do the £1 saving challenge too 😉 Although we've been buying Christmas treats over the past couple of months (and paid the £40 deposit to secure our M&S meat and starters order back in September!), it was still good to empty our *change* jar and find enough £££ to cover the cost of everything else (veg, fruit, bread, Christmas pudding, soft drinks and peach bellini for tomorrow whilst opening the presents) 😁

Chanie, congrats on the new job! We've also exhausted our funds on the DIY this year, hence paring things back somewhat...having a lovely living room at last is really all we wanted for Christmas 😍


Your Lapland UK trip sounds wonderful, Sheila...glad you all had such a great time 😊

After surviving the supermarket last night, today we've added the final finishing touches to the living spaces so we can now relax for a few days....