Frump to Fab 2024

FreetodoasIlike

Far from the Madding Crowd - I loved it too. Although fairly young, I had a bit of a crush at the time on Terence Stamp and thought Julie Christie was such a beauty in her day. It reminds me of the Kinks song ‘Waterloo Sunset’ - where they sing ‘Terry and Julie cross over the river, every Friday night’. Apparently, Ray Davies just came up with names Terry and Julie (quite common names at the time). However, some fans attributed the song to Terence Stamp and Julie Christie and they (and Ray Davies) neither confirmed or denied this - so that added to the mystery of the song. Good publicity at the time. I personally doubt he meant the actors, but it was still a good song and remains one of my favourites to this day.

Well, today has been a good and not so good day for me. The good news was that in the morning I finally got my implants, and they are fab (although I say it myself). They feel a bit strange, after several months without teeth, but I know I will get used it them. The not so good, was that when I visited my mum in the afternoon, the Deputy Warden asked to see me. I visit a lot, so I know that my mum is deteriorating but I think she wanted to prepare me for what might happen. The last couple of times, she arrived in a wheelchair (not her zimmer) but the manager explained that she was definitely declining. She is in a wheelchair permanently now, she wasn’t eating much (had lost 2 kilos fairly recently) and her mental health was deteriorating. I guess this is the way that the body shuts down, and although she has a pacemaker, it would seem that her other vital organs are shutting down. Although I was upset, I knew that she was in the best place and that, when the time comes, they have a lot of experience in end of life care. She was 102 in November and has had a good life, but not really living now. I know it will be a blessing when the time is right.

@helensbiggestfan. You have spoken very open and candidly about your husband’s illness, who passed away at such an early age, and the subsequent deaths of your parents, so I know you’ve been through it. My mum, I feel, has had enough and is ready to leave me, but your husband left you far too soon. It’s not fair is it? But, life has to go on. I love your reference to Cher about turning back time. The only thing I wouldn’t do in hindsight would be to marry my first partner (husband) but I guess it made me stronger. Well done on making such a profit on your dream cottage! Now, the next step is (your forever?) move. As you have said, you will know it when you see it

@thepurplepixie. How long off is your visit to Buckingham Palace? You must be so excited! Have your got your outfit sorted yet? 

helensbiggestfan

Free.   See we just crossed posts.  Sorry to hear about your mum.  You're right it does sound as if she is "ready to go".  It's a difficult time for you.  I hope all goes as well as it can and that she slips away peacefully and painlessly.  Both my husband and my mother died in nursing homes and I cannot fault the end of life care they received.  And in both cases they were so kind and considerate to our family.  

Take care of you.  It will be hard for you but you are right it will be a blessing,  102 is a phenomenal achievement. She must have witnessed so many changes in her long life.

Sending you 💕💕 and 💐

ps Waterloo Sunset is one of my favourite songs.  Loved the Kinks.  

thepurplepixie

@FreetodoasIlike Buckingham Palace is 2 weeks today!  I have a dress and blazer, dress is navy with quite a fitted top and cap sleeves with a fuller skirt, the blazer is coral.  I wanted a bright jacket, thought of red and then thought I might look like a Butlin's red coat, then I saw a lovely green but I went to 4 schools and the uniforms were all green so I hardly ever wear green..In the end coral seemed to fit the bill.  My issue is shoes, I have got awkward feet, my ankle bones are low and shoes always hurt me and I generally end up bleeding so I wear boots in winter and sandals in summer but I wanted shoes for this.  I'd love some slingbacks as I can wear them without blood being shed but they are hard to find.  I ordered some on the internet but returned them today, they were too long and too narrow.  Just ordered some more.  I might have to make a choice between pain and sandals, I think sandals will probably win.  I'd like nude shoes and bag. 

I've been advised that for security reasons you can't take luggage in and only a normal sized handbag or small personal bag so I'm a paranoid about getting the right sized bag.  I'm hoping the hotel will hang on to our bags when we check out otherwise I will have to try left luggage at the station and if that doesn't work I guess the clothes we go up in will end up in a London charity shop.  Must remember not to wear anything special for the journey up.

I think I might be over thinking all this.

Terence Stamp was good looking and I was trying to work out why none of us were that enthralled with the film, then I thought it was our O Level set book, nothing quite so good at putting you off a story as having to read it in small parts with analysis in between.  I was always getting into trouble for reading the whole book when teachers would say, "Read from page 20 to 26 and we will discuss on Monday."   Then on Monday she'd ask what we thought would happen to X or whatever, I'd always be the smart !!!!!! who could tell the whole story, eventually I'd never get asked.  I could never understand why I needed to work out the ending of a Dickens or a Hardy when someone far more talented had already done it.  It was a shame as I loved to read and when we did free reading my books always got a thumbs up when my friends would often be told to put their books away and go to the library.  I hated poetry, still do.  I managed to learn one poem for the exam and decided it would have to fit whatever the question was, I thought I pulled it off OK but my teacher seemed rather puzzled at my choice.  Happy days!

Floss

thepurplepixie said:

I've been advised that for security reasons you can't take luggage in and only a normal sized handbag or small personal bag so I'm a paranoid about getting the right sized bag.  I'm hoping the hotel will hang on to our bags when we check out otherwise I will have to try left luggage at the station and if that doesn't work I guess the clothes we go up in will end up in a London charity shop.  Must remember not to wear anything special for the journey up.

It may be worth a phone call to them to ask, then you'll know. If you need to use left luggage at the station give yourselves plenty of time as it can be busy.

Floss

Following the conversation about jewellery, I have a few pieces that I wear all the time - the ring was made for me in exchange for my former wedding & eternity rings which were both diamond set. The diamond bracelet was bought after my mum died in 2005, the gold flexi bracelet was my aunt / godmothers which came to my mum when she died and to me when mum died, and the fine bracelet I bought when I relocated back to Cheshire 5 years ago.

thepurplepixie

Good idea @Floss I've got an email address so I could send a message.  Yes I will allow time although there is a service where there are local businesses that will look after luggage for a reasonable fee.  I might ring the hotel and ask about leaving it there.  I travel light so it won't be a big .bag

Watty1

@thepurplepixie I wear boots most of the time and my solution to needing something comfy was to use roll up flats.  (put roll up shoes into Amazon and you will see what I mean).    Every lady wearing heels or shoes they worry about should have a pair of these in their handbag. They roll up neatly and small   I know it means at the end of an event you have to carry your posh shoes (i pop into a shop and get a plastic carrier bag if I am in London) but they have saved my feet before a few times.

Watty1

For the first time I feel a little bit fab.   I've had builders in for most of April, rarely is the house empty, the bathrooms have had work and the heating and hot water broke down.  I think I've probably worn the same clothes for over a week (the underwear was clean!) with no bath or shower and just a water splash because of the cold.

This morning the house was warmer and the water hot. I got up in time to wash my hair, have a shower, use some "products" although not perfume because I can't find that at the moment and dress in clean clothes.  I'm wearing a new fleece I found on bay of E in a lovely bright colour and I've thrown away the tatty grey one I've worn through out the renovation.  Still a long way to go for both the house and me but what a difference this morning has made to the way I feel.

helensbiggestfan

Good Morning Lovely Ladies 

pixie.  Not long now till your visit to the palace.  How exciting .  Your outfit sounds perfect and a good idea re fold up shoes.  I have fold up slippers which I take in my bag so I can remove my shoes in peoples homes. I also think you might need to book ahead for storing your luggage or belongings what with all the new rules regarding terrorism awareness etc.

watty.  Sounds like you are making good progress with the renovations,  it will be worth it.  It's awful being without heat and hot water but at least you have been able to have what I call "an everything shower" today.  

Floss. lovely jewellery.  Some gorgeous pieces. 

Well it's really cold here today so pretty much an indoor day.  Apparently it's due to start warming up next week. 🤞🤞.   About blimmin time.  My handyman cut all lawns for me yesterday, and redefined all the edges, looks tons better.  Just need to tackle the weeds now, too cold for me today though.  

My son is bringing me some potting compost tomorrow so aiming to get out next week and do some potting  and planting out. Mainly cheap and cheerful bedding plants, anything more expensive will go in pots to take to my next house.  I am going to look for some baby sized shrubs or trees because they are cheaper, then I can nurture them in pots for a while and plant them out in my new garden later,  I am also aiming to take lots of cuttings to try and increase my stock.  Very MSE. 

Fabwise I am trialling some prescription strength retinol.  See if I can "Turn BackTime". Lol.  Other than that not much happening.  Right time to hit the yoga mat.....  

have a great weekend, keeeeep fabbing. 💕

Wednesday2000

Speaking of jewelry, I was thinking of selling my engagement ring. I got it resized (finally) just before I moved here and then I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my fingers and I think the ring is the reason I have a swelling in that ring finger joint. Does anyone have any advice about how to sell rings?

My husband got a date set for his medical retirement this week. We also had two valuations for our house and it was more than we thought it would be which was good. We told the estate agent that we would be ready to put the house on the market by the date he is retiring.

I haven't been doing much fabbing wise. Just cleaning and tidying the house!