Posted by: Frugal Trenches | December 28, 2009

Nothing Better

Than spending the mornings & afternoons walking & running along the beach. Time spent reflecting, praying and wondering what 2010 will bring….

The perfect end to a day at the British seaside - an evening spent watching Pride & Prejudice, sipping tea from a favourite mug! Oh Mr Darcy, I do so love you ;)

I hope your Christmases were lovely!

Posted by: Frugal Trenches | December 23, 2009

Remembering Those Who Are Easy To Forget

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat  Mother Teresa

After I wrote my Thankful Tuesday post yesterday, it dawned on me how much it was focused on me,  just how easy I have it and at times just how selfish I can be. While I have certainly had some significant challenges this year, it is easy to keep going when you know the reality is you will find a job, you have a parent and friends who would always take you in and you have the skills to get support if you ever needed it.  I happened across this ad last night that I would ask everyone who reads this to watch.  Solving complex multifaceted problems is not easy, there are no magic wand, no pixie dust, no secret words you can say to make the problem go away, what we all can do though is begin to care. I’ve found the more educated I have become about the reality vulnerable people face, the more I care, the more I want to find small daily ways to help, the more I want to spend less so I can give more. Right now there are thousands of children living on the streets, thousands of children in horrific situations that are unimaginable to most of us and I would urge everyone reading this to think about ways you can help and start, however small it may feel, just start.  Okay, I’m off to phone a few places and volunteer some time!  I mean if the future King can spend a night sleeping out as a homeless person in minus 4 weather, there’s something I can do to! While we are all busy in the lead up to Christmas, it can be as simple as a phone call to a charity to make a donation, giving money and/or food to someone who is homeless or committing to volunteering some time. Small steps do really add up!

“I hate to see complacency prevail in our lives when it’s so directly contrary to the teaching of Christ” Jimmy Carter

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one” Mother Teresa

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9

Posted by: Frugal Trenches | December 22, 2009

Thankful Tuesday!

I have so much to be thankful for this week! Thank you again for letting me share it with you!

  • I am thankful for the wonderful outdoors, running along the beachfront and hiking in the forest humbles me and makes me see just how blessed I am! There are people who never get beyond 4 walls, (those in institutions including orphanages, prisoners etc) freedom is an amazing priviledge!
  • I am thankful for my most wonderful friend Michelle, she is such a great support and encouragement to me! And I couldn’t be without her care & love!
  • I am thankful for the peace that fills me now after a few days of slight upset upon finding out I didn’t get the job I had the third interview for!
  • Our Christmas plans fell apart due to the weather and pretty nasty pipe situation, so I’m thankful I still have my mum to celebrate with :)
  • I was able to see one of my closest friends for the first time in 7 weeks, in her words it was like the scene from the airport in Love Actually.  So lovely to spend time with the nearest and dearest!
  • I am thankful for the pool I swim in and the gym I work out at, knowing even in this weather, when the paths are slippy, I can still exercise is a real blessing! I am especially thankful that my mum bought me a pass for each for Christmas!
  • I am thankful for my violin which I have enjoyed playing for hours each day this week!
  • I honestly am blessed with the most wonderful friends who span the globe (England, Scotland, France, Australia, Canada and the USA) .While it can be difficult not being able to see them or give them a hug in person, I am blessed by how loved they make me feel each and every single day! I only hope I do the same back!
  • I am thankful for being able to wake up each morning and live another day! When you think about it, it is an incredible priviledge!
  • I am thankful that I have no job and no plans (trying to put a positive spin on unemployment!) because it means exciting things are ahead and 2010 will be an adventure!
  • I am thankful for my Saviour, who died on the cross for us, who brings news of hope & joy and is always there for me rain or shine, with a more perfect plan than any human could muster :)

“”There is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings” Arthur Rubinstein

What are you thankful for 3 days before Christmas?

Posted by: Frugal Trenches | December 19, 2009

A Saturday in Devon England

There are times when no words are needed, they are simply a distraction to the soul!  Frugal Trenches

Posted by: Frugal Trenches | December 19, 2009

Christmas Isn’t All Bad

Lately I’ve heard a lot of people moan about Christmas being materialistic and plain indulgent. I don’t dispute that for many that may be the case. But I would also suggest looking at other areas in those people’s lives and if you look hard enough I would imagine you’d see a trend;  it isn’t Christmas that is the problem it is the attitude towards wanting, having, buying and self. Many of my Christian friends have started not celebrating Christmas after reading books on Christmas celebrations not being based on Christianity. Most of those people do not send cards, do not decorate, do not give or receive presents and do not attend any family events, parties or meals. Many of these friends have encouraged me to do a bit of soul-searching about this holiday, to look closely at the problems that exist and to perhaps choose not to celebrate this year. Only the more I soul search, for me, the more of a blessing I see that this holiday is.

  • Should I take the time to write more letters throughout the year? Absolutely! Is it nice to take the time to write a personal card, send a nice letter and perhaps a picture or two to friends or family far away, you bet!
  • Should I volunteer year around? Yes (and I do) but in my experience Christmas volunteering is often a catalyst in becoming involved in a project in the new year!
  • Should I spend hundreds on gifts for myself and others? Of course not, but I would never do that anyway!
  • Should I be expecting and wanting stuff? No and to be honest all those that know me in real life know I ask for nothing and often take weeks to open what I do receive!
  • Should I remember that there are people with family far away or no family at all, who could use some love and support at this time of year? Yes and that isn’t more likely to happen because I don’t celebrate, in fact I think it is more likely to happen because I do celebrate (so am more aware of those who may not have someone)

I do not deny that there is a horrible state of materialism that can surface during the holiday season, but for me, with the choices I make there is also a wonderful simplicity that defines not only who I am, but how I approach the holidays.

For me this Christmas will include:

  • Attending a Church service or two!
  • Dropping off food and baked goods to several elderly people I know
  • Shopping for the food bank
  • Reading my Bible, giving thanks and lifting up people I know and people worldwide in prayer
  • Enjoying a meal with family and friends (including those who do not have family to spend Christmas with)
  • Volunteering
  • An annual Christmas hike

I am very thankful that my friends asked me to examine how I celebrate Christmas, I did enjoy the process of reflecting on Christmas and how I celebrate.  My conclusion is that I’m not threatened by the celebration of Christmas, because for me Christmas is purposeful, it is a time where I can really put others ahead of myself, show love and bask in the celebration of what my King did with His birth, life here on earth and death. Nope, Christmas isn’t all bad in fact I’d say it’s pretty good :)

Posted by: Frugal Trenches | December 18, 2009

Weekending

Having traveled back to the family home for the holidays, I’m especially looking forward to this weekend because it means I’ll be enjoying some much wanted influx of media having suffered through enjoyed a 6 week media fast!  Most of my friends are away for a wedding this weekend, so it will be a calm relaxing and quiet weekend before Christmas.

Saturday plans include an early morning run on the beach (see above photo) followed a homemade breakfast while watching the best tv chef, Mr James Martin’s Christmas special. Isn’t he d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s?

For lunch I plan to make my favourite light lunch, grilled feta on a spinach & rocket salad

The evening will be spent catching up with knitting friends, listening to Coldplay and watching Strictly Come Dancing finale!

Sunday will be a day spent admiring the beauty of beach huts

And staring at the sea

plus finishing the last of the Christmas cards (I’m a wee bit behind!)

Happy Weekending Friends!

Posted by: Frugal Trenches | December 18, 2009

Would you leave this?

Taking a break from Financial Savvy Friday’s today. I may post a Financial tip tomorrow. Just because ;)

In the meantime, I have to share that I am having no trouble saying no to trips to the shops (5 days of no spending in a row at the moment!) because how on earth could I stop snuggling this beauty to go out in the cold to shop? Maybe that is a financial tip in itself, want to shop less, get a cat! ;)

p.s. Thanks for the encouraging comments & emails about yesterday’s post!

Posted by: Frugal Trenches | December 17, 2009

The Places You’ll Go

This is me, shortly after finally being allowed out of an incubator for a short visit (oops, might not have been me and instead my parent’s old friends baby! lol). A comment by the lovely Anna, has made me think a great deal about how our life pans out. This week I had some very disappointing and upsetting news, news that has stopped me in my tracks and makes me want to pull in all the more.  Thoughts  are currently rambling through my head about the choices I’ve made, the life I’ve chased that in fact I may not really want or need.

I was the good girl raised to understand and value the importance of education, to never expect anyone to pay for you or help you financially (including the government), to work hard, climb the ladder and contribute on all levels to society.  I had an early first-hand lesson in loss, in understanding why we need to make good choices financially and seeing just how plans can fall apart. My mum didn’t plan to become a widow with child, but nonetheless she did. She returned to work full-time six weeks later and continues to be an inspiration to me and a good example in the value of being a hard worker who puts others before herself and never expects anything from anyone.

There is something about Christmas that makes one reflect on where they are in life and in society, for some this may bring incredible feelings of success in how they define success, for others they may wish things were different and put a lot of hope into the new year. As I see friends around me who made different choices to myself, it can at times make me ponder where I went wrong and make me feel the need to dissect how my life got to this point and to this place. There is little I know or understand about life, but what I do know is questioning  can be helpful as long as we don’t take away the element of choice (good and bad) and replace it instead with feelings of being the victim or feeling entitled to something else, something bigger or something we define as better. As I sit and write this I may feel sadness, disappointment and fear over what lies ahead, but I also must find a way to remember what I don’t feel is starvation or destitution  so really it isn’t half that bad.

I don’t know what lies ahead, I don’t know all of the places I’ll go, but I do know I’m bound to make mistakes along the way and have no choice but to yet again pick myself up, dust myself off and find the strength to continue. Under the guidance of the King my life may not be working out how I’d like or planned but I’m surrounded by love and even when it all feels so hard, so disappointing and incredibly sad,  I’m still surrounded by grace in abundance.

I won’t be putting a full stop where God puts a comma; my story is not over!

Posted by: Frugal Trenches | December 16, 2009

Feeling The Need To Draw Near

There is something about this season that makes me want to spend more time in peaceful contemplation, giving quiet thanksgiving, seeing the beauty & grace that surrounds.  I’ve enjoyed three days in a row of much-needed hibernation, snuggling with a cat, enjoying coffee while watching the rain fall around me (quietly hoping one day my view includes that homestead which is never far from my thoughts), enjoying making meals for people, listening to the radio and baking with an extra ingredient called love. There is something incredibly special about finding a place in your soul which allows you to believe in contentment, to exude peace and feel the abundance of beauty around. Evenings like this are a stark reminder of the gentle pull towards simplicity which defines my life and fills my soul.

Posted by: Frugal Trenches | December 16, 2009

Questions and Answers

I’m almost done answering the list of questions people have asked over the last few months. Before I finish I thought I’d see if anyone else had any other questions they’d like to ask, speak now or forever hold your peace ;)

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