La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) - on a tiny budget.

helensbiggestfan

Magic Mondays.  

Good Morning Lovely Ladies. 

A magical thing this morning, well it feels like magic to me.  Studied myself in the mirror and yes I can definitely see an improvement in my face since giving up sugar.  My skin looks plumper, more dewy, the lines look less defined, I have a better colour.  I normally look very pale and washed out in the winter but I seem to have more natural colour. 

  I had read that sugar was bad for the skin and that it can make us look older and less healthy and whilst I was hopeful I have to admit I was a bit sceptical. It's only been two and a half weeks but I can already see changes.   Ok I don't suddenly look 10 years younger but I do look better, healthier.  That will do for me.  

The idea of me inspecting my face closely may sound vain. OK I  am of course a tad vain.  I make no apologies, in fact I think a little healthy vanity is no bad thing😉. But, in my defence, I think I have a good reason to pay close attention to my face.  

Some of you will know I was born with a birthmark on my face.  In 2006 it became cancerous and I had it surgically removed.  So now of course I do tend to monitor my skin and look for changes.  

Wednesday.   some great resolutions there. I like my treadmill, I usually listen to music or a podcast whilst I use it.  Hope you get some answers re your blood tests, thyroid problems can cause all sorts of issues so it's good you are getting things sorted. 

Apart from my goal to move house next year and continue on improving my health and fitness I haven't actually got around to formulating a plan of attack yet.   I know how I want to look and feel, how I want to live......it's just how do I get there.  😂

Makingabobor2

Interesting about sugar and your skin. I never knew that. I will try extra hard now then. I have been pretty bad the last couple of days...donuts and chocolate. So I will see if I can go sugar free until the weekend and then just very small amounts over Christmas. 
I have a treadmill, but don't use it often enough. I do a lot of online exercises with a brilliant lady who's group I am in on FB though. But I should use my treadmill more, especially when the weather is pants like today and I don't want to go out walking.

Well not sure what I can say about Magic Monday. I did deposit a rather large cheque yesterday into the bank machine, which was a gift from a relative yesterday. That will clear later today, so that is quite magical as it will be the first time our bank balance has been this high....before I take it out and redistribute it to various savings and mortgage overpayments 

helensbiggestfan

Wellness Wednesday. 

Good Morning Lovely Ladies. 

Well to be honest Wellness Wednesday finds me a bit below par today.  Have had to cancel a lunch appt.  Hopefully nothing that a little rest and a good nights sleep won't cure.  

So instead I will have a quiet day and clean a couple of kitchen cupboards.  

Still sugar free but alas no further weight loss.  Never mind I will just keep going.  

Have been thinking about next year....goals, plans etc.  I'm really looking forward to a nice new year and a fresh start,  I do feel like I've been stuck in a bit of a rut this past few months.  Not clinically depressed or anything but just a bit low and lethargic at times.  I need to shake things up a bit.  

I want my va va voom back.  

Anyway today is the Winter Solstice - literally a turning point when the sun returns to the northern hemisphere.  Of course we don't see an immediate difference but it's nice to know that to all intents and purposes the year has turned and that spring is on its way.  I don't mind the winter or the dark nights but it's been so grey and dark during the day this last couple of weeks,  at least there's a bit of weak sun and a few patches of blue sky today.  

I think I am  craving some sun.  Maybe I should see if there are any cheap last minute deals, although I would prefer to wait until I've completed my dental work and I know everything is ok.  😉. I would hate to be stuck abroad somewhere with dental issues.  

MB2 you are doing well with your debt busting.  Nice to receive a generous cheque from your relative and whilst it's a good idea to use the money wisely, perhaps you could maybe use just a little of it for an inexpensive treat.😉. 

I have been listening to Dave Ramsey and "Dr John" podcasts. (They are American). People phone him up for financial advice.  Without wishing to be judgemental some of the stories on there would make your hair curl.  There are people there earning well over six figure salaries and yet they are carrying huge debt burdens and literally living pay cheque to pay cheque. The cost of living in America seems much higher than here. The amount of student loan debt some of the callers are carrying is staggering and then of course there are the medical bills......

I just hope we can hang on to our NHS and that we don't adopt the American model of healthcare.   The NHS may not be perfect and it may often fail people with complicated chronic illnesses but at least we know that should we have a bona fide emergency such as a heart attack or cancer diagnosis we can get treatment without  incurring hundreds of thousand of pounds worth of medical debt.  

Right better bet cracking on that kitchen. 😁

Makingabobor2

Had me running to check my calendar then...its Thursday, not Wednesday....lol

Hope you feel better tomorrow. I think this weather lately is enough to make us all feel a bit "off". I've got some kitchen cupboards to do, but not sure I have time to get them finished before Christmas. 

I agree about the NHS, you read such horror stories, but whenever we have needed them, we have had excellent and speedy treatment at our hospital & GP surgery. Not so much for my family who live down south, as their NHS trust seems to be diabolical down there. 

helensbiggestfan

Ooops.  Missed a day.  Lol. 

Makingabobor2

helensbiggestfan said:

Ooops.  Missed a day.  Lol. 

not surprised at this time of year when we all seem to be stressed out. I just made a spontaneous decision to try and book a holiday to go away next Christmas. So fed up with all the hassle of it these days

helensbiggestfan

Christmas away sounds nice. 

 I am actually not hosting this year.  My son and DIL have taken over the role now.  I am more than happy not to have that responsibility any more.  I am quite content to be "Granny in the corner". 

I worked out that I had "done Christmas" for 38 years straight..........time to pass the baton onto the next generation. 😂

gran3

I agree, 40+ years of cooking is quite enough. Going to a hotel for a couple of days. Done it twice before but this year has been awful, bereavement and family illness which resulted in cancelling our first holiday in years. Better to come next year I hope.

helensbiggestfan

Fabulous Friday.  

Good Morning lovely ladies. 

Absolutely horrible weather here today.  Not exactly geared to creating a fabulous day. Lol. Wish I didn't have to go out but it's chiro today and then a quick whizz around Lidl for a few last minute bits.  Hey ho, needs must.  

Gran3.   Sorry to hear you've had such a difficult year.    Enjoy your break away, I'm sure it will do you good. 🤞 next year sees better times ahead for you.  

I'm going to sign off for a few days now and take a break from posting over Christmas.  

I would like to take this opportunity of wishing you all the best that the festive season can offer,  

In the immortal words of the chief weasel in "The Wind and the Willows". 

"The Condiments of The Season and a Preposterous New Year". 😂🤣. 

🌲🌲 MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! 🌲🌲

Wednesday2000

Merry Christmas Helen and to all on here.