Fun sunday

Today I have thrown routine out of the window. Got up , got ready and went out for the day. Didn't cook the sunday lunch. Have made sandwiches for tomorrow and put washing on the line before we went out , other than that just winged it ! The sun was shining and off we went.
Tonight I have tried to catch up with some of my favourite blogs. Its a short week this week so I'm not too worried about the usual routine.

Hello

Hello bloggers and hope you are all well. I haven't been reading blogs for a while now so I was pleased to see some old favourites that  have decided to return. I am trying to catch up and read all the latest posts. I am quite busy myself in my everyday life. I mentioned previously that I had started a new job. Well since then I have started another !! My current job is much better, nicer people, better hours and better workload. I had reservations about my last job , that it was a big mistake, which were confirmed when I returned from sick leave to nastiness from colleagues. Having been offered something else I was glad to be out of the door and left them too it ! Life is too short ! I had worked part time for years until last summer when I decided to increase my hours. All in all , it hasn't been too bad and we have all coped with the change in our routine at home. I do however have to be more organised with cooking and washing but I'm slowly getting into a routine and of course the extra wages are very welcome.
I still enjoy charity shopping and source most of my things from the various shops I frequent. One recent lucky find was a brand new with tags duffel coat , made by Dash, priced at £9. The original tag was £99. I still like buying unusual things, last week I bought a seahorse brooch and today I bought a crystal rose bowl which I'm looking forward to displaying some lovely flowers in.
I'm not as frugal as I used to be but equally I don't have credit cards or any debts other than mortgage. I do still meal plan and I would like to be more thrifty especially with shopping. Bye for now x

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all health and happiness wherever you are this Christmas xx

Pre Christmas Chazzing

I had a quick venture out of the house today. I went into a nearby town for a bit of shopping and to look in the charity shops. I saw a pair of brand new black leather Hotter shoes. Slight heel but with a twist pattern on the front , would have been nice for work and at only £6 a real bargain. The downside, they were a size 9. I did try them on, just in case, but they were like boats. My size is 7.5/8 but the 9 was just too big. Its probably why they are still sat on the shelf , as in a smaller size they would have been long gone ! I did however come away with something. I spotted a dark brown Kipling bag, used at £4.49. Its style is called 'Robin' and its more of a handbag style than rucksack or holdall. It was in very good condition apart from some marks on the inside. I've put it through on a quick wash and the marks seem to have all gone. I'm pleased with the bag as they can be quite expensive new but they are practical , washable and fold up easily unlike rigid leather bags. 

Its been over a year since my last post......

Sorry for such a long absence, things have kind of gotten in the way. Firstly thank you to those who have sent messages, much appreciated. Don't know where to start really so should start where I left off;

Personal loss - Back in the summer of 2014 I miscarried, the two other babies of friends and family that were due the same time actually both arrived on the same day. Luckily it was a day off work so when I received both sets of news I was at home , very upset naturally but pleased for the new parents. It was tricky as other family members were talking about the new arrival, inside I was torn in two but had to have a happy face. I was dreading seeing the baby for the first time from the point of view that once I held it , I may turn into an emotional wreck and how due you explain that to other people who don't know. As it happened , it was fine , I made it through the afternoon. The new baby is nearly a year old now. I still find myself at random times with tears rolling down my cheeks, less than before but it still happens. Part of my healing process was seeing a counsellor. She advised me that I was holding back from doing things and moving forwards in other areas, which in some respects wasn't fair to my husband and daughter. I agreed I had to push myself to start enjoying things again which in turn led to other things......

Travel - In respect of moving on and enjoying life with my family, I went out and booked a trip to America. We had ten great days and hired a car , staying in motels along a section of Route 66. We had a great time, lots of fun and hundreds of fabulous photos. I look at those pictures and think of what a great time we all had together. We have also been to Europe which was great and a lot of fun. No travel agent involved, just us hopping on and off trains, trams and buses. Again hundreds of photos, happy memories. We also rejoined the National Trust. Quite a few days out enjoying stately homes and gardens, not to mention lots of tea and cakes.

Family history - I spent considerable time researching both mine and my husbands family trees. One set of great grandparents lived in Garrison Lane, Birmingham around the time of the Peaky Blinders. Having checked the names of the notorious gang, Gt Grandpa luckily isn't one of them !

Chazzing - I would say 95% of my clothing acquisitions have been from charity shops. I rarely ever go High Street shopping now.

Work - I have changed jobs and now work full time. I'm not sure its the right decision, time will tell, its still early days. I may grow to love it, at the moment its like learning a foreign language.

General - I have an impending big birthday this month, but I'm unwell at the moment so due to medication, illness , fatigue and general errgghhh, I wont be having any raucous celebrations on the day itself. Maybe postponed for a few weeks until my batteries are recharged.

Sporting a new wardrobe, cheaply

Afternoon all. When I was off work I decided to get a few new bits and bobs to cheer me up and try and pull myself out the gloom a little. I bought quite a few things that I wouldn't normally wear in terms of colour and style but was feeling that a change would do me good. I even managed to find two dresses that fit me which I was very surprised about. In addition to the post I wrote recently about my newest acquisitions, this is what else I bought when I was out chazzing;

A long red morino wool cardigan £3 from Cats Protection in Llandudno
A grey V neck short sleeved Monsoon sweater £2.79 from Scope in Llandudno.
A black and white wrapover style dress £4.79 from BHF in Llandudno
A red patterned tea dance style dress £7 from BHF in Caernarfon
A black and red spot see through chiffon blouse from BHF Sutton Coldfield £2.99
A cerise M&S cardigan £4 from BHF Lichfield

I'm sure there's more but I can't think but I have worn these items to work and other places and received many compliments. In fact I feel quite embarrassed as I'm not used to compliments and don't know what to say, of course I say thank you but its different for me as it doesn't usually happen. That makes me think how did I look before ?

I would probably go as far as to say I have never been so well dressed and the funny thing is its all charity shopped. Colleagues have asked if I am going for an interview and some have quipped ' who is he ?' And as for dresses, aside from my wedding dress, I haven't worn a dress for about 25 years. Its amazing how a different piece of clothing can make you feel !
 

Three months on.......

Good evening bloggers and hope you are all very well. Its been three months now since my loss and I'm still feeling low. We had a lovely holiday in August to Wales and we all enjoyed it very much. The week was glorious with lots of sunshine and was very relaxing. Im also back at work although with hindsight I wish I'd had longer. When I got back to work I expected lots of awkward questions from my colleagues as one day I was at work and the next I was gone. Colleagues were fine nothing intrusive at all. Management however not so. I met with my manager to discuss my return to work to be told that I was being referred for first level disciplinary proceedings for my absence. I was informed that I was to meet with management at a later date and I could have representation. To cut a long and upsetting story short, HR got involved and assured me that in my circumstances no action would ever be taken and they were very apologetic about it. I felt very upset , disappointed and let down as you could imagine. Returning to work has been good for me in some respects as socially I haven't felt isolated like I did being at home. Work itself is still the same and very frustrating but Im trying not to think too much about it, hometime comes and I'm out the door. Two couples I know have since made their pregnancies public with both being due the same week as I would have been. New Year will be good to get this last year behind me but that first month will be difficult.