Frump to Fab 2023

Watty1

Try horses for big vet bills     One of mine had surgery a couple of months ago. Insurance company quibbling about paying their contribution and I've just put the bill of operation and a week in their ICU on a credit card.   The horse is recovering nicely but the incidental expenses are racking up as I've had to change his bedding, he is in a stable 24/7 so the new bedding is cheap enough if bought in bulk but bulk delivery can't get here until next week so buying at vastly inflated prices, because he is in stable he has to have hay (hay bill on the way up) and the hay has to be soaked (water bill on the way up).

He is however recovering nicely and every time I see him my heart sings so it is worth it.

Am embarking on a decluttering project very slowly too.  Fab me and fab home wherever that home may be are on the agenda this year.  I've started on the wardrobe. I've gained weight so I'm letting clothes that no longer fit go. I may loose the extra weight but having the clothes was making me feel bad.

sugarbaby125

Hello Ladies, 

Wednesday, I have finished reading Spare by Prince Harry. It was fascinating, enthralling and very moving. It gave lots of insight into how our Royal family operates.  I also enjoyed reading the true story of Meaghan and Harry's love and how quickly they both realised that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.  For me this book was a 10/10, because it was so full of truth and honesty.  

Wednesday2000

I'm happy you liked the book so much. Thanks for the review!

I did so much walking today, I'm nearly at 20,000 steps. I went into Southend to chazzer shop and managed to find everything I wanted, well, apart from a teapot, but there is no rush for that. I went home to drop off my bags of shopping and then walked to the beach. When I got home the workmen had almost finished work for the day. We then went out to our favourite local restaurant and they had a special for Veganuary, "fish" and chips with peas and coleslaw. Yum. It was strange as the young waitress recognised me when the last time I saw her was last February. I had been talking to her saying I was moving from London to the coast and she remembered me for some reason.

I have switched the plans around so we are going to the cinema tomorrow to see the horror film Megan and we will go out to eat after.

Southend beach this morning. It was lovely weather  but it has really cooled down this evening.

flossyblog

 @liberty_lily  @helensbiggestfan sorry to hear you're going through some tough times. 

 

@2Scratters, it's EDP,  a previous purchase was exchanged which was no better.  I've decided not to bother anymore. A bit sad as it I have been wearing it since 1978.

  

@Abbafan1972, I do guided body scan meditation by Jon Kabat Zinn, which I find relaxing. I did have some tiny crystals and am wondering where they are now.

It's very cold here which gives me cabin fever, we walk around our local pond for a break. I'm looking for some audiobooks to listen to this year.  Last year got through 42, finding it increasingly difficult to find light hearted humorous ones.  Have listened to some good BBC radio 4 dramas, Truman and Riley, Isaac Newton,  master of the Mint and Nemesis, very entertaining.  

helensbiggestfan, I have a large collection of favourite movies on disk for the winter months, I'm toying with 84 Charing Cross Road or Steel Magnolias for this afternoon, they remind me of the 80's, working and living in London.

Hand and foot care this afternoon, file nails and moisturise, I just use nivea body lotion mousse, smells so clean.  Might do a face mask in the bath tonight as I have an appointment at the dental hygienist tomorrow.

@Watty1 good luck on your decluttering project, I have a whole house inventory, which I update throughout the year, It something my parents did, they had one of those old fashioned ledger type books. I record everything and it makes interesting and useful reading when planning, eg the boiler is on its 19th year, the garden fence which is wobbly was erected in 2007 and the house was last painted in 2008.....

sugarbaby125 your food always sounds so delicious. Wednesday2000 I love it when I get loads of steps in, happens mostly in the summer for me.

Have a lovely week everyone

Watty1

@flossyblog  The house inventory sounds fascinating. Made me think I might need to do similar if latest plans come to fruition.  Thanks for helping

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning lovely ladies. 

My mum used to keep a house inventory. She also used to keep a record of everything she bought and a price list of food shopping.  She started them when she first got married in 1949 and came to England,  I don't know what happened to her journals, I think she might have destroyed them before she died along with all her letters and personal correspondence, diaries etc. but I can remember reading those inventories. They were fascinating. 

84 Charing Cross Road is fabulous. Again fascinating social history of war time Britain as well as a gentle story of a long distance love.  There's a fabulous part where the female character played by Anne Bancroft is desperate to come to England but has to choose dental treatment instead.  That always resonated with me. I have always had poor teeth......they look nice but they are very weak.  Over the years it has cost me a small fortune trying to hang on to them.  And now of course I am faced with a marathon course of treatment. Like the Anne Bancroft character I have a choice.  Teeth or travel and a new car.  I am afraid the teeth are going to have to take precedence.  However, I am fortunate. Thanks to three years of hard slog renovating a wreck and then timing  my house sale to perfection, selling at the top of the market, I have made sufficient profit to cover the costs.  

It would of course been lovely to indulge myself with a world cruise and a Mercedes coupe  as a reward for all my hard work but you can't have everything. 😂🤣. 

"You can't always get what you want but sometimes you might just get what you need".  (the Rolling Stones). 

I have been thinking about that statement a lot this last couple of days.  The death of David Crosby prompted me to dig out some old music by the Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash, it sent me on a nostalgia trip and reviewing my life so far.   Turn, Turn, Turn is one of my favourites.  Pete Seeger took the words from Ecclesiastes and turned them into a song, which was then covered by the Byrds.  

Although I'm not a person of faith I think the words and sentiments are timeless and offer a guide through life, the highs and lows, the triumphs and disasters, love, sorrow, grief and heartache.  Ooh get me, getting all philosophical.  I guess that's what comes from pushing 72 and seeing all my youthful crushes and heroes dying off.  

"there is a time for every season..........."

I have decided I want it played at my funeral, but not yet......not yet.  😂🤣.  I want that telegram from KC3 or maybe William.  

White over again this morning.  Very pretty but absolutely freezing,  literally.  Need to go brave the elements and go food shopping.  

Have a great day y'all.

thepurplepixie

Thanks for the good wishes, DH is a bit better but I haven't been out.  GS is here so I am going to Sainsbury's and The Range for a wander in a minute, I know how to live.  I might even buy myself a cream bun!

GS watching films the other day.  He's football mad and decided to watch the film about the Munich air disaster, very tragic affair and one of the players came from my area and my sister went to school with his niece so felt a connection.  Anyway GS is watching it and said, "Look at this gran, it's supposed to be 1958 and they've set it about 40 years earlier."  I had to tell him that the 1950s really were like that, I always say the world was in black and white not just the televisions.  He was amazed, he was picturing it as almost the swinging 60s and everyone enjoying the Beatles and so on, and it didn't look like that at all.

thepurplepixie

I want Spirit in the Sky at my funeral but not sure which version and Louis Armstrong singing What a Wonderful World.  Not sure what the Parish Priest will make of that, I also want the XXIII Psalm which he might be happier about.

helensbiggestfan

Just back from Aldi, stocked up on goodies for the family's stay next week. They came yesterday and bought a car load of stuff.  They "move in" later today.  Not sure how long they will be staying,  they are having a new staircase fitted, a big job.  

Meant to say what a beautiful photo Wednesday. It looks so ethereal and peaceful.

  It reminds me of the night my husband died. His nursing home was in the countryside and enjoyed wonderful views. It was August. As I left the home that night, when they had removed his body, there was a full harvest super moon and although there wasn't a body of water to reflect the light, the moon bathed all the fields and trees in the most beautiful silver light.  I stood there for several minutes, feeling my husbands presence all around me and just breathing in the warm still night air and the breathtaking beauty. I felt joy and gratitude, his suffering was over  and he was at peace. I didn't take a photo but the picture is forever etched in my mind.  

Pixie.....glad your DH is feeling a little better.  Such a worry for you.  Yes, definitely buy that cream bun. I've bought a very naughty sticky toffee pudding for our dinner tonight.  You only live once.  😉

Ps. My husband had a humanist funeral. His coffin was carried in to the James Bond theme tune (he was a Bond fanatic). The celebrant was a bit taken aback but obviously had to accept my instructions. The final piece of music was the Archers Theme tune, my husbands choice.  

You can choose any kind of funeral you want......even a church service doesn't have to be grim. You can make it a celebration of life.  

Both pieces of music raised smiles all round, which is exactly what my husband wanted.  He wanted to "go out in style" with joy and laughter, to celebrate a life well lived. 

After 9 years of me devoting  myself to caring for him he told me he wanted to me to "get out there and live". For a long time I was so wrapped up in grief I forgot how to live. It's only now that I truly feel ready.  

His loss depleted me so much and the caring years wrecked my health which is why this year is all about reclaiming my health, getting fitter and stronger and getting my wretched teeth fixed.  Lol.  

This time next year I shall be a completely different woman. 🤣

liberty_lily

Thank you Flossyblog 😊

Fab pic Wednesday 😁 I've said it before but I really do miss living within walking distance of the sea 🙄

Having seen the trailer, I don't think I could watch Till, Sugarbaby - it looks far too harrowing - although I probably should 😪☹️

I'm glad your DH is feeling a little better, Purple Pixie and that you are able to have a bit of a break whilst your GS is there 💐

On the subject of funerals, in 2014 we had a humanist one for my octogenarian dad, with some eyebrow raising music choices - not least 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' which was a favourite refrain when we, DS and my parents used to play our favourite card game of Sevens 😂

Today I've been shopping my home (again!!!) and dug out a favourite lamp base from the cupboard of doom that has been boxed up since we sold our last house. DH and I both really love the lamp base but we decided the accompanying Tiffany shade could be sold. I thought I'd try the base with one of my Pooky lampshades and it's now got a new lease of life ❤️ plus we have a whole new lamp at no cost!