Hi everyone
This is just a quick hello as life has got in the way and I’m rushing around doing this and that, plus getting ready for an unexpected week’s trip to Spain starting next week! Yay and three cheers to that!
Honestly this will be so good for both Mr F and myself as we’ve got ourselves into such a comfortable existence of not doing very much, eating at certain times and going to bed ridiculously early what with the weather we’ve had, and how the British way of life is not conducive to sitting outside in the evenings. Not that we do much in the evenings anyway, as we eat early, watch our films at home along with many different streamed television series, read books and that’s about it. And in Spain, people only begin to go out in the evening when we are tucked up in bed, have turned the light out and are asleep! But hey, you know, let’s not get into a rut, let’s change things around and experience new things. I expect at least half of you are way more adventurous than us, but I think I want to be more adventurous than I am, because if not now, when!
So I’ve been getting out my summer clothes, chucking some of them into the charity shop bag, and setting aside only a few items to take with me as I want to peruse the local markets and maybe just buy a couple of things in Spain. And here’s a pic of me in a local shop (White Stuff) where I was encouraging Mr F to actually buy some clothes.
Do you remember I bought that jacket in the winter as it so reminded me of Spring. However, to those of you who love jackets, my word, isn’t the window for wearing jackets short! I wore that for the first time a few days ago when the weather was just right, the following day it poured buckets of rain and then yesterday it was too hot for a (light) wool jacket.
Still it is lovely and was a charity shop buy so it didn’t break the bank!
Getting Mr F to buy anything other than IT is a major effort, but happy to say he did buy 2 T-shirts and a pair of shorts – another three cheers to that!
So there will be one more blog post from me in the Tell Us About It series. I have to pre-set this to come out automatically next week, so fingers crossed that this happens as I haven’t done that before. And I might put some pics up on Instagram during our week away. Otherwise, dear friends and followers, have a very nice May and see you at the end of the month.
But do tell me what do you think about changes to your routine and if you feel you could, or should, change things. I am quite excited about new challenges and a change in our routine. I mean there is a tiny bit of anxiety as we haven’t flown since 2017, but there you are, it’s about time we did something like this.
That’s all for now. With love, Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
Firstly- you look really good in that jacket! It’s a keeper ( maybe take it to Spain cos it still gets chilly in the evenings). Second – yes to changing routines. When do they become self limiting habits? I’m currently trying to change my day and diet, getting up earlier, doing some exercise and following the Michael Moseley Fast 800 diet for a few weeks to re- educate my palette and suppress the craving for sweet stuff. I was inspired by Tricia Cusden’s blog last Sunday! So you are both officially Influencers ! Enjoy and embrace the change!
Oh my word, thank you for saying I’m an Influencer, but I don’t see myself as quite in the same position as Tricia! However, it is a yes to changing oneself and not sticking to the same old, same old. Unlike you we already get up quite early and then, as a result, go to bed early, but Spanish hours are quite different. I guess if you are like my friends who stay in their own place for 3 months at a time, you would change this habit quite easily, but with just one week, it will be quite shock to the system – but I think that’s good. I want that!
Good luck with the Michael Moseley diet which is quite strict. We also do Intermittent Fasting but not the 5/2 days. We restrict our hours of eating and do not eat after 7.0pm, breaking our fast at 8.0am. That way it gives the body a rest from digestion every single day. I quite like doing this and again will probably have to change this during our holiday.
Thanks Melanie and all the best for the changes you are doing 😊
Hi Penny,
So agree with that +ve attitude! Take every chance to do things as I was brought to a sudden stop last Sat n life is temporarily on hold – what a shock! However, things are progressing – if rather gradually to my way of thinking!
New hit very chic on u – hits are v useful I find – n not so avid looking as cardos!
You sound to be a lass after my own heart, even tho ure quite a bit younger than me! Keep it up – grab every opportunity for a new adventure! Looking forward to Spanish break piks – which area ru visiting? Have fun, whatever..
J
Flippin’ predictive txt – I wrote jkt n jkts ‘coz that’s what I intended – otherwise, I’d’ve written differently… maddening!
J
I would strongly recommend that you wear a mask on the plane. We have been trying to avoid air travel over the past few years but circumstances dictated a short flight. Living in the countryside and not much ‘rubbing against other people’ I developed a heavy cold shortly after return. Be safe and have a great holiday!
Good for you and MrF on going to Spain , enjoy the change of pace. I am wondering which part you are visiting as I’ve been there a few times now. You are so right about not getting in a rut -its so easy to do .
The jacket does look so very good.
You will be fine with scheduling the post – I managed to do it last time although I mucked up the dates.
Enjoy Spain Penny.
We are up in a small mountain village to the south of Granada, apparently it takes about half an hour to get there from the airport. Looking forward immensely to the change of scenery and way of life. and we are lucky enough to be staying with friends who know the area very well. They live here in the UK but have a place in Spain.
I love the jacket and have had a great time going through my clothes for some summer gear!
Thanks Jill 😊
I hope you find Spain exciting, friendly and inspiring. It’s been our home now for twenty years and we love it. Although this wasn’t written about Spain, “it’s a cold country with a hot sun” so, as Melanie Harris said, the evenings can be chilly especially if it’s windy.
I’d love to know which area. We’re about an hour’s drive south from Valencia, one of my favourite cities, and our weather in May is beautiful.
Have fun, both of you and take that jacket – it may come in useful.
Yes, I’ve been told by my friend to bring a cardigan for the evenings. They live in the Uk but have a house in a small village in the mountains just south of Granada. Valencia – how lovely. Our friends are apparently looking forward to showing us the surrounding countryside. The weather is lovely there at the moment which I find hard to compute as the UK weather is so unpredictable and there’s always a cool to cold wind. My friend has told me it will cool down in the evening, so well as a cardigan I shall take a couple leggings to wear under my summer dresses. I have another jacket I’m taking with me as well.
Thanks Jennifer 😊
You are so right about getting in a rut. I think it’s quite common as we get older. I’ve found it to be even more so because I feel more comfortable at home than out now (and yes, I know that is not a good thing). Unfortunately, we do have some restrictions (caring for a family member) so cannot just take off anywhere but I going to try to change up what I can. Being too set in your ways is not a good thing.
I think it is so easy to get into a routine that suits you, and then one sticks to it and then one doesn’t do anything outside that routine. That’s definitely us and it will be so good to be thrown into an another situation altogether. Hope the caring situation isn’t too onerous, it is important to take care of your own health and situation whilst doing that. I speak with a professional hat on (as that was my work, supporting the caring situation)and from a personal point of view too.
Very best wishes, Sylvia and thank you for commenting 😊
I am so happy for you, Penny! Going anywhere is a dream come true these days. Have a splendid time in Spain. I do hope you’ll blog about it when you get home. I’ve always wanted to go. Yes, even here in the states, we get into ruts and are in and watching tv way too early in the evening. I can’t wait until your next post! BTW…I think I’ll be in the UK in January with my daughter…meet up then?
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Here in the UK Spain is considered a very good holiday destination but we’ve always preferred France and have only been to Spain once before – we are so looking forward to this quite big change for us!
And definitely and absolutely yes, we will meet up in January, that will be so good, Marsha 😀
How wonderful that you have this opportunity to go to Spain! I have never been there but friends and family who have been there really enjoyed their time there. The last time I traveled abroad was 2019. I have no plans currently other than my annual summer trip to my beloved Chincoteague island in July. Safe travels and enjoy every minute! Darby
I had to laugh Penny because a) your routine is exactly the same as ours and b) getting Mr Mutton to buy clothes is like pulling teeth. I remember getting him into John Lewis this time last year to buy something for a nephew’s wedding. It was the first time he’d bought “normal” clothes for years, although he’s forever buying cycling clothes.
Love the houndstooth jacket. I am forever erring on the side of caution where the weather’s concerned so I quite often take a jacket wherever I go.
Hope you have a lovely break in Spain.