Hello everyone
Looking back at my blog posts I see I haven’t done an end of the month review for some time. So I thought I might try one for April.
I’ve bought a couple of inexpensive dresses which you’ll see when it warms up, gosh, this weather we’ve had in the UK has been dire, I mean nothing really bad but just cold with a bitter north wind coming from the Arctic. Anyway, pleased to say that this month I have bought hardly anything. I don’t know if I’ve said this before, but my wardrobe space is quite small, and as there is no possibility of increasing the size it does set boundaries as to what I buy, keep and wear. This isn’t a negative but really good, as I want to reduce my consumption and shop my closet, as they say! I’ll also mention what we’ve been watching.
I see that that first week of April was busy but hugely positive, starting with my 1-2-1 Personal Coach, Sarah, coming to Lewes and taking me out for a walk. If you remember I told you I was anxious about my walking after all the enforced sitting around I did through December and at the beginning of 2024. First, the 100-day cough virus which was nasty and debilitating. And then on top of that I had two minor ops to excise the mole (which was a Melanoma but Stage 0, thankfully) and was told after each excision to sit and take it easy for 2 weeks. This not exercising much at all for 3 months had a huge impact on my mobility.
However, I’ve got my oomph back mostly from just taking my classes, doing exercises at home and walking+++. But I was still hyper aware of my wobbliness, and the walk with Sarah really helped. She walked behind me and picked up on some bad habits – like freezing at kerbs – and we practiced getting off and back on kerbs, as well as me walking with a braced core. She also encouraged me to take longer strides and walk from the thighs and the glutes, rather than with stiff, mincing (yes, really) gait that I was doing. This was so helpful and while I don’t walk like a rocket (yet) I have definitely speeded up. Yay and three cheers.
So readers, if any of you are having these problems around balance and walking, I’d say, give it time as things don’t magically resolve instantly. Do the exercises at home, then get out and walk, and walk again and again. And then get all the help and advice you can find, read up about walking, go on YouTube, find the right kind of help from a sympathetic but knowledgeable person. Actually do read this blog post from Annabel Streets who blogs at The Age-Well Project. She really knows her stuff and she’s written books about walking. Btw, I also went to my GP and got a referral to the Falls Prevention Clinic and had a session with a physio this week, which was helpful, but definitely not as helpful as someone walking behind you in a street where you encounter uneven pavements and kerbs.
During that same week, I had coffee with a friend who’s moved to Lewes, went to the hairdresser, and on the Friday and Saturday went to London and saw two exhibitions at Tate Britain, and had a bus ride which made Mr F very happy!
Instead of dressing up I wore a very old pair of black skinny jeans and my faux red leather jacket as the weather was so unpredictable (cold, wet and windy one day then hot – for the UK – the next day) and we were outside a lot of the time. I walked and walked that day.
The following week we had lunch out with two good friends who live near Lewes. No photos as we were in the moment, and the same thing for another lunch on the Friday with a friend I hadn’t seen for over a year and had also met at the school gate. It was so good to catch up. Then at the weekend a happy family meet-up at our place for my son’s 46th birthday.
On the following week, I met up with Gail who blogs at Is This Mutton in London, and did I take my usual dozens of photos? No I didn’t, we were too busy chatting! I took precisely two pics and I feel a bit ashamed as Gail took one of me. But we will make up for it when we meet again.
I wore a new skirt, it’s a balloon skirt and I rather like it.
We were at my usual haunt, the Victoria & Albert Museum, where they are busy curating the next two blockbuster exhibitions: Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish’s Collection which opens in May, and Naomi in Fashion, the exhibition of the model Naomi Campbell and her impact on fashion which opens in June.
With no blockbuster exhibition we decided to go to the jewellery collection, which is on permanent display (so it’s free) and is a wonderful experience to go round with jewellery from 700BC to present day. It’s a veritable feast for the eyes, which is exactly what I love. But as I said I took only two pics!
Those shoes are my kind shoes!
And finally, here’s the pic that Gail took of me.
That coat is so old and only cost me £5! And finally while I didn’t manage to take a photo of Gail, she sent me a pic of the shoes she wore which were dazzling.
Then supper on the Saturday with an old friend – it was good to catch up – and a couple of days later I treated myself to a pedicure.
During the fourth week instead of writing a blog I decided to use the time to write more of the memoir of my mother. And did I do much writing? No, because I decided I needed to check out a couple of dates around my mother’s family. For those of you who have done some family research, you’ll know what happened next! Reader, I went down an Ancestry wormhole of ‘Now, let me look at a particular point in my mother’s uncle’s life’, ‘And what about this aunt of hers?’ ‘And what about her mother, when did this happen’, ‘What date was their move from Scotland to Bedford?‘ And so on and so on. I spent hours, days, looking for dates and more and more information. At the end of the week I wrote a few sentences, but I had spent most of my time looking for birth and death certificates, census material. You name it, I began looking for it. It wasn’t exactly a waste of time as I did collect more information about my mother’s family and her husband’s family, but the writing went to pot!
Films we have watched
It was the fourth Saturday of the month on the 27th April and that was the day of our Community Cinema showing of Brian and Charles which is a sweet quirky film based in Wales about a lonely inventor who makes a robot who becomes his friend. Well worth watching if you feel like a warm hug – it’s exactly that kind of film. That makes it 7 films we watched in April.
The two outstanding films out of the 7, were Poor Things of which I’m sure you’ve heard a great deal. I thought it would be awful but I loved it. The plot is too complicated to explain – it’s proper daft but luscious to look at. And the other outstanding film out of the 7 was The Holdovers starring Paul Giamatti. Now you’d think it wouldn’t be all that interesting. Instead of going home for Christmas to their parents a small group of boys are held over at their prestigious boarding school. The character Paul Giamatti plays is the teacher left in charge. Not at all, over two hours I was mesmerised by this film and didn’t notice the time passing because it was excellent with a great character development as the film went on. A must-see, I think, not the least for the wonderful performance by Da’Vine Joy Randolph who played the cook and deservedly won the Oscar for Supporting Actress.
Television Series
As you know we don’t watch the TV in realtime we stream different series from various platforms. Throughout April we watched several. We were delighted to find another season of For all Mankind (Apple) which depicts the space race in an alternative future. This was all about the base on Mars and we both love it as it is realistically (!) told with a great story arc over the seasons and good character development too.
I read the first book in the trilogy 3 Body Problem (Netflix) and it was a pretty tough read as there was so much science in it, the science fiction series has been adapted for Western viewing and this first season was good but still has that element of ‘what on earth is going on???’
We watched another season of Wisting (BBCiPlayer) set in Norway – I do love a Nordic noir.
Anyone seen The Gentleman (Netflix) that’s a very enjoyable albeit slightly silly crime caper. The Guardian’s headline for its review is, ‘a daft Guy Ritchie story, spattered with blood which just about sums it up. It’s proper daft in a very British way and great fun.
I can see that the word of the month has to be – daft! Well what with the state of the world I think a little daftness in our lives is no bad thing.
Btw, I read lots of books but I think that’s for another time. That really is all for now, thank you for reading to the end but do tell me how you are and what you did in April.
With love, Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
Hi Penny, I am particularly interested in what you said about walking with a braced core. Can you elaborate on how to do that? Thank you very much.
Nicky
Hi Nicky, I was talking with my Pilates hat on, so to speak. Instead of having one’s muscles in the abdomen all loose and unbraced, the abs are braced. I’ve learnt over the years of doing Pilates that you can identify the core muscles, which are not only in the abdomen. if you haven’t done Pilates it is difficult to explain but I’ve found an excellent article that’s from a British rowing club
https://www.racmn.com/blog/core-strength-and-how-to-brace-your-core#:~:text=Bracing%20the%20core%20during%20exercises%20can%20be%20challenging%2C%20but%20it's,stability%2C%20balance%2C%20and%20power.
This explains all the muscles involved and how to start bracing – which must be slow, things won’t happen overnight. As the article says bracing ones core isn’t only for the gym it is for the entire life you live, as it protects your back and in my case makes me more stable.
Hope this helps 😊
Well done on your walking progress Penny. OH has Parkinson’s and his walking is becoming very shuffly so your comments on walking techniques are particularly interesting. The weather makes a huge difference so it is a good excuse to escape to warmer climates in the winter. Also, his Parkinson’s Care Team constantly emphasise that the best way to retain mobility and muscle mass is to keep exercising – which he does, 3 times a week at the gym plus the weekly Parkinson’s class they run for balance etc. You are living proof that the adage “use it or lose it” makes a lot of sense. Those boots were made for walking.
Hi Pamela and so sorry about your OH’s Parkinson’s – do give him my good wishes. My grandmother had Parkinson’s and the reason I went to the GP was to tell him that and ask him was my walking….? He reassured me but even so I found the wobbliness really anxiety making. But it is improving and that is exactly right, if you don’t use it (like sitting around for 3 months) you lose it! Good for your OH in working away at his mobility – very best to him and you 😊
Hi Penny! Glad you’re feeling better and able to be out and about again doing what you love best. I love the balloon skirt btw
Just wanted to mention/ask if you’ve watched This Town? It’s brilliant- set in the West Midlands during the 1980s and a fantastic mix of politics, music and family drama. It’s written by the same chap who produced Peaky Blinders but is nowhere near as violent or long! Give it a go – 6 episodes so great for a rainy Bank Holiday 😩
The balloon skirt is my favourite skirt now!
And thanks so much for that recommendation – I had seen it advertised but hadn’t clicked on to it. We will definitely try it out – thanks again 😊
You sound in fine form Penny, well done
Kathy
Thank you so much Kathy – I am so much perkier now 😄
I think you would enjoy “Ripley” on Netflix, Penny, if you haven’t seen it. It is completely different to the film by Anthony Minghella, and a bit of a slow burn – particularly in the first two episodes. Then it gets going and is wonderfully shot and acted. The Italian actors in particular are great, and look absolutely “right” for the period which is 1961.
Oh absolutely, I’m with you 100% on Ripley. We’ve just started it and it is beautiful to watch and so good – the acting! This will become a classic. Thanks Angela 😊
Hi Penny
We are having a typical New York April, quite a bit of rain and chilly, but with some really glorious spring days. It seems like it is always colder than one thinks it should be and them boom, it feels like Summer with heat and humidity. I have not purchased much myself wardrobe wise lately. I did treat myself to a new everyday purse, a cross body, black with red trim. It is made with all recycled materials, scraps of leather from a high end brand and old London fire house, the red trim. I am happy with it. I also splurged on a funky pair of white sneakers for Spring and Summer. I have few wide legged pants that have been in my closet for ages that seem to be in style again and with my tees that’s essentially my wardrobe. I would love a really floaty dress but if one does not present itself I can get by fine on what I have when I want to dress up a bit more.
Culturally a few things have been going on. I may have mentioned in another note that my daughter and I went to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) It was actually my Christmas gift. We met with a couple who are good friends of both of us and live in Manhattan. We had lunch at the museum cafe, really quite a special day. And last week I went to the Hammond Museum and Stroll Garden. It’s a small museum about an hour north of me in a more rural area, The featured exhibit was a woman, Ruby Silvious. She paints the most exquisite drawings and makes the most unusual things from discarded material like tea bags and eggshells. Quite beautiful. And the Japanese garden, the center of which is a pond was just beginning to burst into bloom. I also attended a local production of the musical Hair which was enjoyable. It brought back memories of seeing the original production and cast off Broadway so many years ago.
I am inspired by your continued effort to maintain health and mobility. This is so important. I have been going to my yoga classes at least once a week and try to walk daily. Now that the weather is nicer I hope to do more at the local nature sanctuary. I did go there yesterday and think it did a lot for my mental state as well as my physical well being. that’s it for now, Love, Darby
Hi Darby
Lovely to hear from you and get an update on your cultural activities at the MOMA which is on my bucket list (has been for a long time actually) but Hair, oh my goodness, I remember seeing it first time round when it was considered truly shocking and out there. I felt so daring seeing it! That does indeed bring back memories.
White sneakers are an essential part of my wardrobe too and I am getting mine out shortly (as the weather isn’t suitable for them at the moment) to see if they pass muster as I am pleased to say that in two week’s time I am having a week in Spain. So while it is not really warm here (although it is a little warmer than it has been) I shall have to pack for really warm weather. And that will include what shoes I bring.
That bag sounds amazing.
The work I do on my mobility is so essential. Sitting, they say, is the new smoking, so I am out every day. Plus doing exercises or a class most days too.
That’s all from me now – thanks as ever Darby X
Morning Penny from New Zealand.I am 82 and enjoy reading your Vlog.My sister and I had a holiday in England several years ago and spent a whole day at the Victoria and Albert looking at the Jewelley section and then around the corner at the Tapestrys..Beautiful.We decided to try and get back to Paddington on the Tube not having any idea what to do.Asked someone where to buy a ticket.He said just tap and go.We looked at him blankly as we had no idea what he was talking about.Do you have a credit card ,Yes, well tap it on the box by the turnstyles.Bit scarey going down to the bowels of the earth on the escalaters.Managed to get back Ok.Saw our first Transversite in all their full attire on the train and had the most marvelous Lebonnese meal at a very ordinary little shop near our hotel.Oh the wonders of travel.Have used my credit card all over the world and never had any problems.
Hi Katrina – how lovely to meet you!
And thanks for that great story about your travels in London, you’ve got a knack for it. Have you written your memoir about your life and travels – it would very readable. 😊
I’m glad to hear you’re walking better. My husband has been having struggling with walking, but we are finally on the path to some answers. Oh, I do wish we were neighbors so we could sit and discuss such things as “Poor Things.” I just didn’t get it, though I agree it was visually stunning. I think I may just google it and put an end to my wondering!
I loved the V & A when we visited so many years ago. I am planning a trip to London and may or may not have company. Either way, it looks like some time next January…will let you know either way. Hopefully, there will be something really fab going on, but jewelry is always a good thing!
I am just about ready to cancel my Ancestry subscription as I have hit brick walls on both sides of my family. My husband even tried and got no farther than I did. I think it’s because of surname changes when they emigrated to the US. Then, factor in the handwritten census forms where misspellings were rife, and you get absolutely nowhere! It’s very frustrating. I’m glad you’ve found so much it’s led you on quite the chase!
Have a wonderful rest of the week, Penny!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Oh so sorry to hear about your OH’s situation. I know how he feels, as you do wonder…But it sounds as though things are resolving – good.
Now the thing about Poor Things is that if you truly think about the plot and analyse the storyline it isn’t a pleasant film. Or that was my thinking before I watched the film. We streamed it as we weren’t prepared to pay at a cinema to see it and I rather wondered if we would turn it off half way through. BUT. Watching the film is a different experience to wondering about the reviews. I found that on one level, the superficial one, it is a film you can enjoy, and I did, thoroughly. On another deeper level, no, it isn’t a ‘nice’ film at all. But I’m glad I watched it as at least I can debate it from more knowledge than I had before. And my word, it is hugely original with great acting from Emma Stone.
Ancestry can be so frustrating. Fortunately my OH, Mr F, absolutely adores Ancestry and researching his family history, so he pays for the subscription and I pop in now and then, but infrequently as possible as I know that I will get sucked in very quickly!
And Marsha, your trip sounds great. I shall wait to hear when you come to London as we can visit the V&A together. The jewellery section is free and really lovely to see but if there’s a blockbuster exhibition I can get you into that as well – yay and three cheers 😁
I’m glad you are back on track with your exercising. Its so important to stay mobile. When we don’t move for a day, for example lying on bed all day, we lose so much muscle power. The proper spring temps are here and I hope with you too! Another week to go and we are in Rye again! Keep your fingers crossed for sunny weather for us please!
Oh wow, Nancy, how lovely, give my regards to Dungeness if you go there! The Fish Shack will be open for sure towards the end of the week and is always amazing.
And I have got my mojo back by doing the exercises and walking +++
Actually in exactly two weeks time we will be getting into our taxi for Gatwick for a week in Spain. Can’t believe we are doing that – but may that happen many times more, as I really want to get out of my comfort zone and do a bit more travelling/vacationing.
Thanks Nancy – have a great rest of the week 😊
I was so pleased to read this post Penny , sounds like you are feeling like your old self again. Glad you are feeling more at ease out and about walking again. I must remember the tip about bracing your core . Lucky you back in your V & A visits again, loved the photo of you and Gails sparkly purple shoes.
Well done on finding the balloon skirt , you know I am a fan.
Hopefully your Spring weather will improve soon. xx
That balloon skirt is my favourite now and in fact when I saw it I thought, hmm, that’s similar to the skirts that Jill wears. And I had to get it!!!
The V&A has so many collections that are free – it really is a wonderful place to visit. But I am also looking forward to the two blockbuster exhibitions due to open in May and June.
It’s warmer and I think that will be the trajectory from now on but there’s also a lot of rain forecast – ah well, we will get the hotter weather in a few weeks time – remind me not to complain about that as well!!!
Thanks Jill 😀
Hello, Penny
I think I was born without a sense of balance! I’ve never mastered riding a bike, much to my sorrow, and my husband swears I push him towards the pavement as we walk along because I don’t walk straight! He’s right, darn it, but even so, I am not clumsy and have no fear of falling. That said, I have started thinking about adding some kind of balancing act (ha!) to my daily exercises, even at my late age-stage: 84 last month. Checking online, I came across a simple little trick to practise which may help me and anyone else who’s a bit wobbly on their pins. All (ha!, again) one has to do is stand tall and by placing one foot directly in front of the other, heel to toe touching every time, walk in a straight line.
Simple, yes? Actually, no! I couldn’t manage a couple of steps without losing my balance. I was rubbish! So, I’ve set myself the task of practising every time I walk along our long upstairs landing. Well, I do when I remember! But I plan to persevere and see if I improve. Maybe I should engage my core first! Anyway, wish me luck!
I was very interested in Darby’s trip to the Hammond Museum and Stroll Garden. I’d not heard of it before but it’s gone on my Go-See list next time I’m in New York.
As for your lovely balloon skirt, I never even consider them until I see you wearing one and think how good they look and could I wear one? I think so as I’m 5′ 8″ and size 14 so could probably get away with it…I shall keep a lookout for one now and if I do forsake my habitual jeans for a skirt (shock horror) it’ll be down to you!
Enjoy Spain,
Zepherine x
Hi Zepherine and many apologies for not replying sooner, I don’t seem to get notifications of comments any more – will have to ask my IT manager (ha ha) about this.
Interesting you too are a wobbly person as it’s not really a new thing for me either, although the 3 months of enforced sitting around didn’t help at all. And btw the walking heel-to-toe is incredibly difficult and I can’t do it all, I try and nearly every week my Personal Trainer makes me attempt it. but it is very challenging. Nevertheless my weekly 1-2-1s have been so useful and I can just about stand on my tiptoes without falling over now – and that’s taken me over 5 years to achieve! On the other hand, that means it’s never too late to improve balance. You are a good example too of someone always trying to improve.
I’ve seen another balloon skirt, a white one, that I rather like, and I’m going to whisper this, but the green one that I bought, and the white one I rather fancy, can both be found in Zara. I’d say go for it Zepherine!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment 😊
Hello Penny
Not related to your recent post, but I just wanted to say that I’ve just finished a 4 night break at Wi Wurri with my husband, son and dog! What a wonderful place! Obviously much loved by Ann and her family over the years and full of books, family photos and art. I felt very privileged to be able to stay there. It’s a long way from our home in Yorkshire, but I was so intrigued by your descriptions of it and the area that I managed to persuade my husband that we should go there! Friends wondered why we would want to go to stay in a seemingly bleak spot next to a nuclear power station, and I must admit I did have some doubts beforehand. But we were captivated by the strange beauty and peace of Dungeness, and were treated to some wonderful weather!
Oh wow, Helen – just found your comment. I am so pleased you liked Wi-Wurri as it is really special and yes, aren’t we privileged to be able to stay there. And then there’s Dungeness, which is quite the marmite place, but actually is again really special in its own way. I love it and as for Wi-Wurri, the books and the whole atmosphere of the place is so conducive to writing – I’ll have to go again!
Well done Penny on working on walking technique and balance after you had to take it easy for a while. Your advice will be very inspiring. Don’t fret about the lack of photos at the V&A. The same thing happened when we were with Jill. It’s far better to be in the moment than taking pics or staging videos all the time. Looking forward to seeing your new (pre loved) dresses. I have two as well, which is surprising for someone who hitherto hardly ever wore dresses!
Oh my goodness Gail – just found this comment, sorry I’ve taken such a long time to answer it. And yes we were in the moment and very nice it was too.
See you in June!
😀