Quick check in with some positives …..
🍽🛒 grocery shopping done
👕👗 big bag of clothes taken to the charity shop
📦📦 ‘lost’ parcel found in neighbour’s parcel safety box
Good day, nothing remarkable happened, just a pleasant day.

Hi all, as mentioned in my other posted thread, some good news.

1. Results are in for both my grandsons exams. One got distinctions and merits in BTech and has now secured a 4 year apprenticeship, second one got 1 A*, 5 A+ , 2 A’s and a B in GCSEs. So proud of them both. They both worked so hard especially the GCSEs.
2. Did my shopping in a pretty dress today. Daughter told me to wear what I have in the wardrobe instead of slobbing about in jeans and t-shirts.
3. Nothing exciting happening and that is a blessing in itself.

Congratulations to your grandsons, SG. I so agree with your daughter … we ‘save’ things for some vague time in the future, which may never come. We should be wearing our ‘good’ stuff and making ourselves feel special.

A few positives from me …
🌱🌸 a lovely gardening session today, but not in my garden. Was creating a new flower bed at the village hall …. just need to keep it watered over the next few weeks, to make sure it gets nicely established.
🛩✈ got our flights booked for our next trip to Turkiye, just three weeks before we go!

Think two will do for today. Remember to look for those positives everyone.

Yes you are right SunnyB, life is for living and doing it in our best clothes feels better than slobbing around in my jeans and T-shirts.

Talking of my grandson, I am going to put him as one of the positives in my life. 2 or so years ago he was what you might call chubby, although we would never say so. His school ‘friends’ called him names and he didn’t have many real friends. I told daughter not to try to put him on a diet. We chatted about what is and isn’t good to eat and he started making his own breakfast usually eggs instead of cereal and made other changes. First thing is he shot up by about 5 inches which was the key and now is tall and slim.

Next positive, as stated on the August thread. Air fryer conked out but good news is we are able to get a full refund thanks to Rita the A1 at Amazon.

Still enjoying the warm but not too hot weather and making the most of the pool while it lasts.

Finally, just feeling so positive, don’t know if I have a calendar with no medical appointments for a change, yes GP in 2 weeks but that is routine but then nothing until 5th November.

Quick drop by with some positives ….
🚗🚘 at last our main car is back on the road! OH was able to do the bulk of the work, with the garage just doing a calibration once he’d fitted the new part, which kept the costs down by some considerable amount. So a double positive there … back on the road, at minimum cost.
🌱🌸 more gardening done, this time two of us versus a huge pot bound agapanthus! Was a fight, but we eventually won by dividing the plant into sections, which has allowed me to share it with others, as well as keeping some for myself.

As the first of the above counted as two positives, think that will do nicely for today.

Hi Sunny, just a question. Do you want to set up the next monthly thread, then you are away so I can do October.

My positives

It is raining, a lovely slow drizzle for most of the day, we really need it.
Hit my target weight over a week early but not being complacent as we have a night out coming up.
Just feeling so calm and positive right now.

Hi SunshineGirl …. yes, happy to set up the September thread, if you have say ideas for the title, please let me know.
We had a whole day’s rain a couple of days back and it was actually quite nice, as we haven’t that for awhile.
Glad you’re feeling positive and calm. Good to be feeling content.

Anyway, positives from me today ….
🌳🌱 you guessed it … more gardening!!! It really does my soul good. Two big jobs today, we took down a large shrub which had died and gave the bay a serious haircut.
🎅🎄 as we’ll be away until early December, I’ve been sorting out advent gifts for grandchildren, which was completed by a delivery that arrived today.
🌼🌸 have been trying out some different perfume samples and found a couple of fragrances I really like.

Hope you are all having a good week.

A call out to Verano to help us with some appropriate wording, but just looking at some words to describe September and I’ve come up with bountiful and abundant – referring to the autumnal colours and autumn fruits. Thinking of S words, serene, sultry and then I get stuck.

I was think along the lines of an ‘s’ word too … perhaps sublime, spectacular or sensational?

How about “Let’s be Sensational in September”?

Or “Make September Spectacular”?

that sounds great, lets all have a spectacular September.

👍🏻 done, we’ll go with spectacular, SG. Will set up the new thread tomorrow.

Here are a few positives for the first day of September:
📝🧳 packing list made and some items already put in the cases, ready for our Turkish trip kicking off on 12th Sept
🙂📝 have written my pre-trip ‘To Do List’, ready to start ticking things off … Will be making a start on it tomorrow
💦💦 OH has set up a new automated plant watering system. Going to be testing it out over the coming days, to make sure it’s sound. Already lined up GD to visit from time to time to take care plants at bottom of the garden, so if needs be, she can water the other pots too.

Hope everyone has had a lively weekend, with plenty of positives 🙂

Had a positive day, so thought I report a few …
🙂📝 have ticked several items off my pre-trip ‘To Do’ list, including wrapping advent gifts and posting them off for youngest GD.
🔑🚘 located my mislaid car key … found it in a bag I haven’t used for several weeks!
💦🙂 eldest GD visited for a cupper and to find out about watering the areas of the garden the new watering system won’t reach. Nice to catch up with her news.
What positives slipped into your day?

Another positive day ….
🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️ really pleasant walk and lunch with GS, we both enjoyed it so much we have decided to do it again next Wednesday
🐇🐰 visiting rabbit is getting bolder, he’s much less timid and actually approaches us now, rather than skittering way
🌱💦 auto-watering system is proving to work well, so feeling confident it will do the job in our absence
📿📿 made a bracelet for OH, as part of an anniversary gift for next month.
Hope you have noticed some positives in your day.

Feeling a little bit lonely on this thread, but regardless, I’ll post some positives and hope someone else will join in again soon.
☔🌧 has rained ALL day, upside of that is the garden and pots have had a good water and the water butt has had a serious top up
🍊🍊 got another batch of marmalade underway, mandarin this time
👫✈ some friends have decided to join us for a week while we’re in Turkiye. Not only will it be nice to have them there, but it will also force OH to take time off from working on the villa.

🤞🏻 there will be more positives posted by others soon!

Oh SunnyB we cant have you all on your own.

We too are having rain and it is wonderful, refreshing and greening up out dried out grass (cant call it a lawn, more like a field).

Stewing our own figs from the tree, one minute they were little rock hard lumps then suddenly fully ripe and I hate to see them go to waste. Before anyone tells me what to do with them, I already have 2kgs in the freezer from last years crop.

More than happy with by blood results. BG 6.3 which in someone not on meds is the same as non-diabetic. Well I can dream, someday I will be that number and no meds.

Keep on keeping on…

Thanks for your company, SG. Great news on your blood results, wonderful reward for your hard work. The figs sound yummy, it’s one of the things I’m looking forward to when we’re back in Turkiye.

My positives for today …..
🎂🎁 sorted out the final gift for birthdays while we’re away … now they’ve all been ticked off my To Do list
🌸🌼 GD visited to collect a set of our house keys, as she’ll be popping in while we’re away to water indoor plants and check round for us, good to see her and one more thing checked off my pre-trip list!

Those two will do for me today. Enjoy the rest of your weekend folks.

Just one positive today. Visit from one of OH’s cousins and elderly aunt, lovely time catching up on news, spipping tea and sharing laughs.
Hope your weekend has brought positives your way. Please let us know about one or two of them.

Hi there, here to report my positives:-

Successful visit to the doctors, he is very pleased with my results.
Sun shining again.
Washing on the line – oh the little things that please us.

Thanks for joining in here SG. Glad your medical check when with flying colours. Thanks also for reporting the spam threads posted on the forum today. Frustrating that it seems to have become a target again.

My positives today are ….
👩‍🌾🌼 mini gardening session, wrapping some pots containing vulnerable plants in agrifleece.
🛏🧺 bedding changed and linen washed.
🧳🧳 packing complete, except for very last minute stuff.

One more day at home, then we’ll be starting our travels again. Will not be as present after Thursday, but will drop in when I can … hopefully others will post on this thread from time to time to keep it alive.

I guess I will have to keep this thread going while you are away 🙂 Have a wonderful time, how long are you gone for.

My positives are:-

Just that I am feeling positive with a new start for my new goal (3.3lbs by 7th Oct)
Just been to the farm shop 5 mins away from us and bought 2 dozen eggs and browsed their lovely fresh produce – although I only bought eggs.
Lovely compliment from my grandson. Talking about not being able to get a car loan after the age of 70 (seems to be the case here) and he said I didnt have to worry as I wont be 70 for ages – bless him, I am already 71.

Hello!

S-g I’m here! You aren’t alone!

Just got back from a few weeks in Portugal visiting our son and his family. Wonderful weather, wonderfully relaxing time but now back it’s to ‘reality’!

So for me today the positives are :

Just one …… get back to BSD🥬🥑🫒🫑!!!

Will

Hi Verano, glad to have you by my side as you have been for many years now.

My positives are:0

1. Found a housesitter for our Christmas (been trying to avoid that word but….) trip. Coming from America to meet up with their daughter who is in London but fancies a holiday in France.
2. Just sold my heavy Dyson vac, no hassle, just put it on a site and it went the same day.
3. Hopefully picking up my engagement ring from the jewellers after having replacement stones. Couldn’t really afford diamonds but they have put in 2 cubic zirconia.

Will save any other positives so I have something to say next week.

Hello.

S-g great positives.

Dark and dank here today but there are positives:

🥒🌶️🫒 Back on plan for 2 days and 2.2 of my 5.2lb holiday gain are gone so very positive.

🧺🧺🧺 Washing all done so just the ironing to do now!

🥦🌶️🥑 Finally, after all these years I’m working out just how to eat some carbs that don’t send my blood sugar soaring. I have a feeling that after 8 years of low carbing my body is reacting more normally to carbs.

Onwards and upwards making every ‘positive’ count.

Quick drop by to thank SG and Verano for posting here and keeping the thread active. Have a few positives so thought I’d post while I have a quiet moment.

🙂🙂 had a lovely few days with my folks, good to catch up in person and spend some real time with them.
🌸🌸 visited a garden centre and was seduced in to purchasing a few plants … they have to live with Mum for now, but they’ll eventually make good additions to my garden
✈✈ we fly out to Turkiye today, pleasant evening/night at on-airport Hotel yesterday, so nice relaxing morning before we go and check in

Will post again in a few days.

Hi friends, positives for today

Booked to do the equivalent of an escape room but called escape route, based in Bergerac trying to find stolen jewels (I think) using phones and clues that are sent to us.
Sun is shining and will be for a few days – but not for our trip to Bergerac.
Picked up my repaired engagement ring. 2 cubic zirconium as we couldn’t warrant the cost of 2 diamonds even though they are still only classed as chippings – so small. It is 38 years old so nearly an antique 🙂

Hi.
Some positives here ….

😀👩🏻 yesterday I had a lovely compliment, I think, from someone I’d not seen for years … ‘you look well ….. for your age!!’. Not sure if that was actually a compliment!

🧴🧴 Can’t find emojis for what I want but today I received face products that I’ve denied myself for ages. I just though to heck with it, life is too short, just enjoy. And I have!!!

Hope everyone is well and staying positive.

Hi V, what was the face product. I have just bought a set of vitamin C, an hylauronic acid and a retinol. I already use retinol most nights and I use sunscreen every day, even in winter. Hard to get in the shops right now as I want a special one for face. Great idea to treat yourself.

Positives@
Hanging our washing to dry noticed my tomatoes have had a last flourish – about 20 which needed picking. My basil has also come back along with the oregano. Is that one positive or 3 ????
Hubby had a problem with his laptop, took it in to the specialist nearby and they got it working – no charge.
Shopping today and managed to keep it under €100, especially with all the vouchers we had. Thats about £84. It had been creeping up and up.

Hi S-g. I used a well known cosmetic brand for years but it became really expensive so I went for a cheaper option, own brand from a large chemist. I tried one or two other makes of day cream but was never really happy. Then the chemist brought out a new range and I was taken in by the hype. It was awful. The serum was in an opaque spray so couldn’t see the contents and that lasted 2 weeks, the night cream was ok but the day cream was a thick white paste that just wouldn’t rub in. I don’t ‘rub’ I ‘press’ so after a few weeks that went into the bin! I’ve never done that before and was really upset at having to waste an almost full jar. So, after that long story, I went back to my original brand which has just brought out a new version of its ‘double serum’. So we will see!

I’m fortunate that I have pretty good skin with very few wrinkles so my first positive is that I’m finishing off the my current creams before I start my indulgent ones when we go away. No waste!

I have just 1.6lbs of my 5.2lb holiday gain left to lose. Quite happy to have lost 3.6lbs this week.

Mountain of ironing to do today so hopefully will have my first positive for today when I finish it!

I understand exactly what you mean about throwing stuff away. However, I get a lot of free stuff from a national French company because I have their fidelity card. So I get vouchers like buy one item in store get a free serum worth €28. Latest is a mascara worth €28 if I buy one item and I want some handcream I particularly like. Because of this I have a draw full of stuff not even opened so I said NO MORE… Then I went and ordered the stuff I mentioned yesterday. I was going to send it back but I need the Vit C and the hylauronic acid serum. One tip I can pass on is always, always use sunscreen even in winter. I personally love Dermalogica but really cant afford it.

Positives
Parcel with facial products arrived – yeah, they can go in the bathroom cabinet with the rest.
Looking forward to our mystery escape route in Bergerac tomorrow.
Lazy day with nothing to do. Peaceful.

Have fun at your event in Bergerac today Sunshinegirl.
I am struggling through the wine region French course at this point, as every day is a full hour of study to get it all fully understood. Learning lots of new words, but I am glad it is only a month long! It is making me tired!! And it shows up in my inbox every single day!
Face products: a nightmare in my opinion. I have developed reactions to almost everything out there — no matter whether its expensive stuff or even from my dermatologist, it all makes my skin red and irritated. I have retreated to Clinique everyday moisturiser that I have used for thirty years — I had a “regime” of fancy stuff from my dermatologist which seemed to work well for a few weeks and then it all went south. I can’t even really tell the difference anyway. So I am relying now on lots of exercise to get blood flow and a bit of gentle soap and water — I seem to be getting more sensitive to products as I get older — weird — I am also more intolerant of heat and I have a terrible time getting over jet lag. Those are new to me, so probably age related. Pretty funny actually, if a tad annoying.
Happy weekend all!

Yes Julia an absolute nightmare. I bought a whole system , day and night ++ , of a ‘natural’ range that several people had said worked wonders. So one week in and my skin had broken out in a red rash. Fortunately because it was an online only product I was able to return it all, including the opened products. Guess once you find a product that suits ‘if it ain’t broken’ …….

Hi you two, one of the best and cheapest products is Cerave. Lovely and gentle. I wash my face in Boots Aquaeus Cream, goes on like a moisturiser but washes off, very gentle, or use E45 cream, it is the same thing and I tend to use cold water (tepid).

Started my new regime of Vit C followed by Hylauronic acid, then L’Oreal moisture for old skin 🙂 and then sun screen. Felt a bit claggy but soon calmed down. I will be beautiful in 6 months 🙂
Did the Escape Route and it was so difficult. Didn’t quite finish as my phone kicked me out and I couldn’t find the link again. But it was a day out.
Weight has dropped right down again, just shows, perserverence pays.

Californiagirl, bear with the French. You must be learning something if you spend an hour. I think because my French is intermediate I don’t really have to study, just listen several time, then follow with the French script and sometimes need the translation, especially when they use slang. I then study and write down the slang or unfamiliar words and keep going over those. About 15 mins for me. I thought we would learn more about wine and tasting etc but at least we are learning the words to describe wines but don’t think I have learnt much new. Just the odd word here and there, like today using GRAVE to mean DEFINITELY and J’AVAIS KIFF for I LOVED IT. Nice little phrase.

Sorry for hogging the Positives thread.

Apologies for not posting here sooner, but good to see plenty of positives being posted by others. We had a really good journey out to Turkiye and settled innicely. Have a few positives myself and time to post, so here they are ….
😀🙂 very happy to say OH took the whole of the first week here away from any kind of work. Has been lovely just relaxing together, with no particular plans each day.
🌞🌞 so enjoying the Turkish sunshine …. wonderful to wake up to blue skies and warmth each day.
👩‍🦰💇‍♀️ had my hair cut and coloured by my lovely hairdresser, always makes a huge difference having it in good shape again.
☕🫖 have been catching up with friends here too, mostly over a cuppa, but sometimes with something a bit stronger. Good to catch up in person instead of just messaging.

Hope everyone is able to find at least one positive each day and if you have a moment to post, we’d love to read about it too.

HELLO!

Sorry I’ve not been around and posting.

So the last few days I’ve had a ‘pulled muscle’ sensation in my thigh. I have so much metal in my leg I’m sure that I could rival ‘Tin man’!

So feeling better today ….. a definite plus!

Packing for trip leaving Monday. Can’t believe we are about to celebrate 55 years ….. goodness I was a ‘child’ !!!

We are cruising but will try to keep with ‘fresh food’ and low carb where possible!

Enjoy the cruise V, where are you off to this time.

Positives,
Still able to hang out the washing (yes, the little things)
Losing the weight gain bit by bit and looked at my overall plan – it is still do-able even with the odd treat and gain. Which is why I set it quite low at 3.33 lbs per week.
Going to the cinema tonight – getting out quite a bit more. Don’t mind if food is not involved and mainly French adults do not snack, that is just for kids.

Hi s-g our long-haul days are over!

So we are back to the Med but with Kotor and Split this time. I believe the sail into Kotor is amazing and that’s the day of our anniversary!

Glad you’re still sticking to your 3.33. I love that figure!

So my only positive today is our Granddaughter is seven today! Only one granddaughter so the ‘apple of our eye’! Would have been even more positive if we could have been with her but ….such is life.

Another positive for me is that my washing is up to date and I’ve made inroads into the ironing.

All good!

Hope life has thrown some positives towards you today!

Hi all, where are your positives.

My first positive Verano, is we too are doing the Med in April 2025, there are so many different places so you can go a few times. This time we will be in Spain 3 times including Barcelona where have been, then Sardinia (been before but different side) then we are going to Rome. Croatia is beautiful, not been to Split but Dubrovnik (a bit touristy due to Game of Thrones) and then up to Sebinek which is right on the top coast – beautiful.
Went to cinema last night and, even though the film was rubbish, it was a night out.
Lost all my gained weight and do not want to do that again. Want to be out of that 2 off 2 on. I chose 3.33 lbs because I want to lose 9 kgs in my 6 month project and that is the monthly pound conversion – 1.5kgs per month.

Have a great rest of the week.

Hi s-g our cruise leaves Barcelona then goes along the coast of France and Italy with a couple stops in Corsica and Sicily then a couple of stops in Greece and then Kotor and Split and ending in Valletta. We are staying in Malta before flying home. Our last stay in Malta was 34 years ago so I guess it will have changed!

So to my positives…..

🧺🧺 Washing almost complete but holiday ironing is finally done so just have to pack now.

👩🏻👩🏻 Friend called today who I’ve not seen for a few months so lovely to catch up.

🌶️🥦 Korean roast chicken with cauliflower mash and green beans tonight for dinner. So glad I no longer feel obliged to eat ‘salad’ because it’s summer!

S-g so glad you’ve lost your gained weight. I’ve decided to set some proper goals like you, when we get home. At the moment I’m thinking 4lb a month but just have to work out how many months that will take!!!

Had a positive today …. post it … one will do!

Sounds great Verano, I have always wanted to go to Corsica as a part of places ‘in’ France we haven’t visited but it is a real faff to get to, believe it or not. When you said about a goal of 4lbs a month you sounded like it would have to be long and drawn out, as in ‘only 4lbs a month’. Well think like 2lbs off in a week then 2lbs on the next because of an event – that is the long drawn out way. 4lbs a month for a 6 month stint is just under 2 stone. Wow, that would be great. You know we are not here for an overnight fix.

Just enjoy your cruise and come back rearing to go.

My positives~
We have bought a new vacuum cleaner but the positive is hubby is going around the whole house – he likes new toys – I have to remind him we have a cleaner although she only comes once a month.
Grandson just turned 19 (wow how did that happen) and he has landed an apprenticeship in engineering and the company he is aligned to treat him as a full member of staff even if he is at college for a year. So full pay and yesterday he picked up his company car. Lucky boy but he does work hard.
Weight continuing to go down so very optimistic.

Sound advice S-g. I guess I said 4lbs a month because it seems really ‘doable’ which is what I need and any extra would be a bonus. But yes 2 stone in 6 months would be good!

Well done your grandson! He’s the second apprenticeship I’ve heard of in two days and it sounds like a really great way to go.

👩🏻👩🏻 hair cut and coloured yesterday.

💅💅 nails polished and feet pampered so all ready now just need to …

🧳🧳pack! I use packing cubes so it takes a little bit longer but far less unpacking when we arrive because I leave t-shirts underwear etc in the cubes!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and please post any positives.

Sounds like you are ready to go V, any thoughts on a name for the October thread before you leave. Rhyming with October is a bit hard. I also use the cubes and know straight away where everything is. Pants and bras in one, T-shirts in another, dresses in another and so on. Can just lift them out and put the whole thing in a drawer where you are staying.

Positives,
Weight still going down but not declaring until Tuesday (my official day).
Going to cinema tonight – hopefully to see the film I wanted to see.
Lazy Sunday but without the anxiety of having to go to work on Monday – retirement is great.

Has been a disgracefully long time since I posted here and not because nothing good has been happening. So, thought I should drop in with some positives and bounce the thread back to the top, to remind others to check for positives too.

👫👭👬 have been catching up with lots of friends here in Turkiye, including sone we haven’t seen for 2yrs. Spent a lovely evening with them yesterday.
🌞🌞🌞 sunshine continues to bless us here, it’s a little cooler, but still not jacket weather during the day.
🏠🥳🎊 at long last we know for sure out villa will be habitable by the end of this stay 🤸‍♀️💃

Hooe to see others posting positives again soon … have a great weekend everyone. I’m off to the market now to buy some lively fresh veggies 😋.

Sunny so good to hear that your villa will be habitable in the very near future. Was that 2 years or more in the making?

So yes I have positives ……

☀️🛳️ Wonderful holiday with lots of sun.

🧺🧺 All my washing done. Ironing is for tomorrow!

🥦🫑 good to get back to green vegetables!

So my fourth positive, which is so unexpected, is that I LOST 1.6lbs on my three week holiday. Who would have thought!!!

Hope there are some more positives out there!

Huge well done on the weight discard on holiday, V!!! Remember managing that in my early 20s, but definitely not at anytime since.
Thanks to an incompetent builder, the villa project has been running since December 2020. With a good portion of the work falling to my very capable OH and him project managing trades too over the last couple of years, we are finally approaching the finish line.

While I’m here, I should post more positives so here goes ….
🌞🥳🌞 Sun still shining and daytime temps holding up around the mid 20s.
👭🙂 looking forward to a ‘girls’ night out with my neighbour this evening.
🥳🎊🎂 eldest son’s birthday today …. 47 acts like 19!

What positives have the rest of you noticed recently? Do tell us about them.

As my weight is not behaving I cannot claim positives on that but life is more than dieting.

Youngest grandson has been accepted on the Duke of Edinburgh Gold course. As he hasn’t done Bronze or Silver it will be 18 months instead of a year.
Life is calm and peaceful except for a hornets nest in our shed, waiting for that to get sorted.
Dentist appt on Thursday which isn’t exactly a great positive except, from what I hear about the UK, we are very lucky here and can get appts within a week of ringing up.

I will try to come up with some better things for next time but being peaceful is better than chaos.

Sunny I hadn’t realised it was so long! But, you are now on the last lap which is wonderful.

S-g completely agree ‘life is more than dieting’. Well done grandson! Hornets gone. Sounds like another positive!

🫒🥬🌶️ So good to get back to ‘healthy’ eating, delicious. Stir fry vegetables tonight with roast chicken from last night so an easy meal.

🍳🥯🥐 Wonderful not to ‘have to ‘ eat breakfast everyday. When you’re away and breakfast is included you eat ‘because it’s there’. No longer a temptation. I eat when I’m hungry in the morning.

💉🩺💉 Eye appointment tomorrow to monitor the effects of some medication. I’ve waited months and months for this appointment. Hoping my cataracts are ‘ready’ for surgery too. I’ve found my sight has deteriorated quite a lot in the last six months.

Hope there are some positives out there!