La Dolce Vita - 2024

helensbiggestfan

Finding the right house is a bit like finding the right man....... todays offering didn't hit the spot.  Lol. 

helensbiggestfan

Good morning my lovely friends.  

How are we all.  Long time, no see.  I'm afraid I've no real news, nothing much is happening.  Still living quietly, plodding on.  Not found a house yet, not even viewed any recently, nothing has taken my fancy. 

Tbh I havent been exactly on top of the world lately, joint and muscle pain and I still have a bit of a lurgy.  A nasty cough and feeling very congested.  It seems to come and go.  I don't feel ill as such, its more of  a nuisance than anything but I have felt somewhat tired and run down of late so haven't been out and about very much.  

On a more positive note. I have nearly finished with my dental implants.  Just one final one crown/bridge to go in, hopefully in a couple of months when the post is fully integrated.  Saw the dentist yesterday and she's hopeful.  I am chuffed to bits with the ones that are complete.  They look really good and feel very comfortable, just like my own natural teeth.  I feel much happier smiling and talking, no longer feel shame and embarrassment.  It's been a long and expensive journey but soooo worth it.   😁.  

I have managed to pick up some fabulous chazza shop bargains to replenish my summer wardrobe.  I'm still trying to lose weight (not very successfully) so I have been sticking to items off the £1 rail where possible.  I don't want to spend a lot of money on clothes which (hopefully) I will only wear for a few months but at least I will look reasonable in my new to me clothes.    I don't know why but I am finding it terribly difficult to lose weight.  It seems to be one step forward and two back.  Oh well just need to keep at it. 

 I must remember the old mantra "Persistence pays off". Lol.  

Other than that all is good.  I don't mind living quietly for now.  (Good for the bank balance anyway).  Most of my socialising seems to be with family. Tbh The weather hasn't really been conducive to gadding about.  Is it me or has it been a really long winter, not particularly cold as such but just bleak and miserable.  All I've wanted to do is hibernate.  Spring proper seems late this year, hopefully warmer weather will be here soon and my aches and pains will ease off.  One thing for sure, I definitely want to have a sunshine holiday next winter and escape the winter gloom.  A nice leisurely sunshine cruise perhaps.  In the meantime I am taking vitamin D. Lol. 

I have started a course of regular chiro treatments again, one a week until my pain levels are under control.  I have also booked a hair cut for next week.  As you know my previous hairdresser passed away. I have been very lucky to have found a lovely hairdresser in the village so I don't even have to drag myself into the city now.   

Well thats about it for now.  As I said nothing much to tell. Very much a case of slow living at the moment but that's fine. I am content and happy in my skin.  I may not be rich and able to splash the cash around, and life has been a little too quiet of late but I am still enjoying my sabbatical and a stress free life. Without sounding trite I am lucky, there are many people struggling to make ends meet or battling health problems.  I have a lot to be grateful for.  

I have been widowed for almost 10 years now (August). I have become so used to living alone I think I would find it very difficult to live with another man now. I still miss him of course, but I am not seeking a replacement. I am rather enjoying my freedom. Life as a solo has its compensations.  And I have his legacy of my two gorgeous boys and two adorable grandsons. 

Anyway........time to get cracking.  Hope you are all well.  Have a lovely weekend. 💕.  

Wednesday2000

There have been a lot of bugs going around Helen. I seemed to be ill on and off from the start of February to the end of March. I hope the weather gets better too as yesterday was raining and dark here. We had hailstones and sunshine on one of the days this week. Typical April.

Katiehound

Just a thought about weight loss

Because I have solar panels I decided to have my main meal at lunchtime, also some evenings I just 'couldn't be bothered'- not a good plan. Might as well cook when the electricity is free. I think I eat healthier this way and don't eat that much in the evening.  Got a weird tummy bug thing in Feb.- bonus was I lost some weight & have not put it back on.

Oh, for some warm weather. Fed up with dog walking in the chill & wearing gloves.
 Had a lie-in today when the sun was shining- big oops- when I got up had to walk dog in the rain!! That will teach me to be up early.

In the week I try to go swimming every day- I find that really helps with the aches & makes me stretch, if I don't go I notice the difference.

Are you planning to buy a house or a bungalow? I know you can get 'bungalow legs!' which is not good for general mobility.
Hope you find a property that ticks alll the boxes

helensbiggestfan

Good morning my lovely friends. 

Wow. Can't believe how long it's been since I've posted.  Tempus Figit and all that.  Life is good, nothing much happening although I seem to be permanently busy.  

"I'm busy doing nothing, working the whole day through, 
trying to find lots of things not to do, 
busy going nowhere, isnt it just a crime
I'd like to be unhappy, but, I never do have the time". 

I love that song.....sums it up perfectly for me. 🤪.  I genuinely can't believe it's May already.  How did that happen.   

Wednesday.  .....hope you're feeling better.  I seem to have finally shaken off my lurgy at last.  Still the usual aches and pains, not helped by my recent gardening.......Will I ever learn?? I did at least pay someone to mow the lawns for me.  I have decided to make that a regular feature, just to take the pressure off. One thing for sure I have come to realise that my next house will have to have a smallish easy to manage garden.  A postage stamp will do me.  Ha ha.  As long as I have somewhere pretty to sit out on a nice day.   

Katie....I am currently in a bungalow, have been here 18 months and I think I'm beginning to get bungalow legs already.  So the next house will definitely need to have stairs, use it or lose it. LOL. I can worry about stairlifts etc as and when the time comes. Or, if necessary, move again. 

Loving the warmer weather.  Spring finally seems to have sprung at last.  It's been a long time coming so all the sweeter now it's here.  

Had a bit of a setback yesterday.  Whilst having a quick sort out in my wardrobe I noticed some mould at the bottom (it's a fitted wardrobe, without proper backing, just on an outside wall, not an ideal choice to place a wardrobe).   Luckily I've caught it early and it's not affected my clothes.  Anyway I've set to and treated it, put some portable dehumidifiers in so hopefully that will sort out the problem. 

 To be on the safe side today I am going to weed out all the winter clothes, evening dresses etc and anything I am not likely to wear for the time being and store them away. Hopefully this will improve the air flow for the clothes I do put in there and they will be ok.  I'll keep on eye on things.  Another reason to try and find my "dream house" - the sooner the better.  

I am starting to find this house a bit cramped now. I am glad I rented first before buying again. Renting this bungalow has been a really worthwhile experience.  It has taught me what to look for in my next house and what to avoid.  

Right better get cracking.  Chiro later today.  

Hope you are all well and enjoying La Dolce Vita.  

Wednesday2000

Yes, I'm feeling much better now, thanks. I have to have a filling done tomorrow, though as my other one fell out while I was flossing! How much did you say you paid for your teeth implants? I meant to PM you to ask.

helensbiggestfan

How much did it cost.......An arm and a leg......lol.   

Seriously though.  All in all £14k. That's for 5 posts, 2 single teeth and 3 posts which have a bridge.  So it works out at 5 posts and 8 teeth iyswim. They worked out at £2500 for each replacement post and crown, and £3k for a post with a crown and bridge giving 2 new teeth.  Hope I've explained that ok.   Basically it works out that I have replaced 8 teeth.  That includes everything, lab work etc.  

I know it sounds a lot and but when you think how much work and time is involved you can see how it mounts up.  For example the surgery had to be thoroughly cleaned and extra care taken to make sure everything is as sterile as can be before they can fit the posts so they have to keep an hour free beforehand for extra cleaning, so that they lose appt time with other patients. That all costs money.  I did have to have some work done before treatment could proceed, a root canal on one tooth, and three extractions, so about another £1k.  I had actually budgeted around £20k so was delighted with the final figure.  

They offered me 10 months interest free credit which I gladly accepted even though I had the money sitting the bank. I think most dentists offer this and if you are really stretched they can offer finance over a longer term, although interest will be payable.  

I know there some people who simply cannot afford implants no matter how hard they try so I am very lucky I was able to find the money.  It took a few sacrifices such as no foreign holidays since 2018 but that was my choice. No regrets.  Hopefully I can travel again and have some nice holidays in the future.  If I need further implants down the line then I don't mind going without fancy cruises and holidays.  

I am sure some people might think it's too much money to spend on what they might perceive as "cosmetic dentistry" but I tried a partial denture and I just couldn't cope with it.  I am delighted with the results so far. I was really ashamed and embarrassed by the state of my teeth and it was affecting my food choices too.  Getting my teeth sorted out and my mouth restored has definitely been a game changer for me. 

I know that a lot of people have had success with going abroad for cheaper implants but I have such terrible teeth I didn't want to risk it. I honestly don't think a weeks holiday for quick dental treatment would have worked for me. It has taken 18 months and I have lost track of how many appts have been needed.  

Was it worth the time and money.??  

For me a resounding yes.  It has done wonders for my self esteem and confidence. It has been worth every penny.  

Wednesday2000

Ah okay, thanks for the info. It is up to what you spend anyway, it is your money.  I was only thinking it as I have been to the dentist 5 times this year already and I have heard different amounts thrown around by people I know who have had their teeth done. My husband said his friend's girlfriend got hers done in Turkey for £4,000. I'm sure my friend said she got her top teeth done and they were £10,000, but this was about 15 years ago now. 

It is a lovely warm sunny day here. I just went to play fetch in the garden with my dog and I'm going to start my new library book.

FreetodoasIlike

Hi @helensbiggestfan. I hope you don’t mind me subscribing on this thread. I regularly post on the Frump to Fab thread, and found this,  so this is a delight too, and I recognise some familiar names.

As you may know, I too have just had my implants. Two implants and a bridge (to replace two crowns and bridge). The teeth were infected and, although I could have had root canal treatment, the dentist said they wouldn’t sustain another crown, so hence the implants. Total cost was £8,500, which included the bone graft that I had to pay for separately,  the removal of two teeth, reconstruction of a crown to sustain the bridge, temporary denture and all lab work. This will be my eighth implant (thought I had nine!) but my first two (with bridge) were in 2007, so a long time ago and they have lasted. I lost my three front teeth and the alternative was a permanent denture. My temporary one affected my eating enjoyment, so it was worth it to me. I took out a 0% credit card which will eventually pay for them (rather than dipping into my savings). I’m glad you are pleased with the result. It was well worth it. I think £14K for all the work done was quite a bargain. I still have a problem with the crown next to the implant though. It has always been a bit loose and became even looser when I didn’t always wear my temporary denture (you couldn’t really see the gap when I talked naturally) and there was more pressure on that crown. I’m going to go back and find out what my options are. I would like a bridge (much cheaper than an implant) to replace the crown which I feel would be more secure - we shall see.

@Wednesday2000. I would be wary of travelling abroad for dental work (not that you’re proposing to!) as I’ve heard some horrific stories. Yes, all dentists are different, some good, some not so, and people may save a fortune going abroad, but my previous dentist told me two horror stories, where the implants weren’t regulated and the patients received an inferior implant. She had to re-do the work, as the results were horrific and the patients were in so much pain. So they effectively paid twice, and it wasn’t a bargain. My hygienist is happy with my cleaning and always tells me “to look after my investment!”. Some people might buy a new car (not me!) for £14k so you pay your money and take your choice.

Helen - good luck with your house search. Although I don’t like gardening, I do like to sit out in our (very) small back garden on a nice day, with my kindle and a glass of wine. I believe the weather is going to get warmer? I hope so.

Wednesday2000

Yes. I would research it quite carefully if I ever had it done and I doubt I would go abroad to have dental work.

I think I was saying on here about selling my engagement and wedding rings because of the osteoarthritis in my fingers. I decided to just buy a chain and wear the rings as a necklace. The chain should be arriving today.

It is so nice now the weather is warmer and it feels more like Spring. I have just been pottering around today decluttering various things that I won't need when we move. It is so nice to be able to have all the windows open. I will buy some more flowers this week as my tulips are on their last legs. I did buy some pink trainers from Amazon too.