I have a lot to update you about, so the only solution is bull-oh-bullets!
- Knitting, oh knitting, how much do I love it? I don’t know where to begin! It deserves its own post, oh I am so in love with knitting. Swoon!
- A friend has casually said I can have a segment of her allotment, I need to check she is serious but this could be the best news of 2009!!
- Guess who found a knitting mentor, encouraged her/us to begin a knitting group and is now a member of a knitting club? Yes your very own Frugal Trenches! Note the picture above is what I’m working towards, not where my current skill set is, these were knitted by my knitting mentor!
- I’m praying and thinking about making big decisions quite soon. I shouldn’t reveal anything here, but my heart changed, my faith changed and I kind of found myself right here in England, knowing what I want to do. Someone left a great comment a while ago saying “if you feel God or faith is pushing you somewhere, follow it” and DOABOG said “follow your heart FT it is leading you in the right direction”. That it is my friends, I feel & look like a new person. Oh how I wish I could tell you all, but you never know whose reading and some things haven’t to be done in the right manner!
- On that note I’ve started a study on Contentment! I’m hoping this will continue to encourage me with the truly important things in life – giving, kindness and compassion towards others instead of chasing after something for myself!
- My mum bought me (from a charity shop) a wonderful book with a poem for each day and the Blue Willow Inn Cookbook! I can’t wait to read both – you should know before this downshifting business I did not like poetry, I had no time for poetry. Now, poems speak to me!
- I have started baking – a huge fear of mine. This week I made (to give away to a group and a charity) breads, cupcakes, truffles, loafs…and you know what? Apparently they tasted amazing!! Baking was such a fear of mine, so I’m so pleased things are going well! A couple of people even asked if I had a bakery, which I thought was so funny as up until this week everything I’ve baked (apart from scones) I’ve had to throw out! Could it be I’m more relaxed?
- Did I mention I love knitting? ;0)
- I’m healing more and more each day, I’m back walking normally and apart from some painful twinges each morning I’m doing well! Some of the meds I’m on have some nasty side effects, but I’m managing and trying to cope with a joyful heart! At the end of the day I have medication that is working and I can afford to purchase my meds - those are two great things to be thankful for :0)
- I’ve found out about a great survey done by Bristol University & the WI about women’s views of violence towards women. The survey can be found here . I’ve just completed the survey and hope that it helps with research & prevention of violence! I urge you all to consider completing it too!
- I’m having trouble with BT who has taken over £300 out of my account for telephone calls made AFTER I moved out of my flat and despite my discussions with them (3x) and their admittance that the calls are being made by the NEW renters they continue to take money from my account!!!! Grr!!! Why are bills never easy??
- Last night I made a Mediterranean inspired dinner and it was yummy! I made falafel (something I’ve wanted to do for a long time) & hummus, had mozzarella & cherry tomato salad on the side and made a red cabbage & raisin salad! Oh was it scrumptious!
- I am terribly behind with blog reading, but the weekend is always when I catch up & I can’t wait to read & comment on all your news!
- I’ve mentioned a friendship I’m struggling with before, and I’m still struggling. I’ve forgiven because I really really believe in forgiveness, but my friend has hurt me terribly and I don’t know whether to tell her or simply force myself to “forget” and move on, right now I go between no contact and wanting to be back where we were, but neither feels right! Any thoughts? I could really really use some wisdom! I just can’t seem to get past this!
- I am failing miserably at posting a photo a day, I blame the cysts. So here’s one from dinner to try to catch up, eventually!
Thankfully I made enough for lunch today! Yum Yum!
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Forgiving is not condoning. If the person did wrong, they did wrong. This doesn’t mean that you can’t move forward. Are they sorry for what they did? It might be better to find out gently so you can decide to start your friendship anew or to let it go. Cherrie
Oh, reading your post made me smile on a dreary day! I too have fallen in love with knitting in recent months. I wish I had a mentor
Sounds like things are really on track for you! and I lurve the dinner pic 
Your dinner looks wonderful and very balanced! What beautiful gloves your mentor has knitted. It seems like there have been so many great changes in your life in such a short time. I’d love to know why/how you have made so many. It’s really interesting!
Wow, what an update, so so happy to hear all this super news!
About forgiving your friend. We all do things that hurt people and sometimes the only option is to forgive, have a kind discussion and then move on. You have a good heart, I know you can do what feels right, just listen to it!
Your dinner looks delicious. I love all those foods.
About your friend problem: Have you prayed about it? I would keep praying until a definite answer or plan came my way.
Hi there-sounds like you’ve been a busy bee but totally for your benefit, so excellent news! have a lovely weekend!
I have a similar friend problem. In fact my closets friends are my husband and sister-in-law. I can’t help it. My husband is my best friend. I hope to find friends at church but it does seem quite difficult at times.
I’m sorry I don’t know if that made sense…I’m sick and therefore my head isn’t clear.
I found a dear friend who has been with me for ages through a pen paling group ( as I pen pal for 10 years almost – eep a long time) and she’s in England but we’re very very close.
Yay for knitting.
I second the suggestion to pray. I’ve noticed the incredible change in your faith, actions and heart over the blog (I’m newer to your blog but have read through all your archives) and I am sure the Lord will help you with this decision. You have incredible grace in all areas of your life, you know what to do. Make sure you update us.
Just found your blog from a google search and am so so inspired. You have really changed your life and that is so amazing considering your age. I’d love to hear more about where you are headed, it is something I sit here and marvel at!
Knitting is wonderful, so glad you found the joy in it!
I love knitting and crocheting too! Have you tried http://www.ravelry.com? I’m sure you’d love it! Have a lovely weekend!
I love how peaceful and home centered you’ve become
Best of luck with your large decision, the baking, cooking and knitting too LOL
I second the suggestion for Ravelry. It’s addictive and a fun way to get inspired. If you sign up, let us know your user name!
your experience with BT is why I never allow auto-debit from my accounts. Way too easy for them to take the money, and far too hard to get it back!
Hello – I appreciated your post and frankness today. I know that God will continue to guide you in His way for you at this time as you walk the path you believe to be right. (that sounds like a platitude in some ways – but it is so very real for me too)
Re: forgiveness. Yes it is the right way to go – but it is a journey. Many times you don’t get the feeling of forgiveness overnight.
Remember – forgiveness has much more to do with releasing you than the other person. It is when you choose to let go of the right to hold onto hurt that another has inflicted on you.
Before you forgive – that person has hurt you once, and then every time you think about the problem, they continue to hurt you and affect your life.
To forgive is to say to yourself, and God, that “you has hurt me once. it has created pain in my life, and has changed me forever. But – I no longer give you the right to continue to hurt me. I cut those cords that you placed around my heart by doing that, and free myself from their ongoing influence. I don’t have to get you back for this, because you will no longer hurt me”.
Sometimes you have to go through the process of wanting to forgive, and that is all you can do for a while. Say that to God – “Lord I really want to forgive …, help me process this through so I can really do so”
Then when you are able – come to the point of saying to God “Lord, I now choose to forgive … I cut the cords of hurt that are around my heart. they are broken forever, even when it feels like they are then again.” It really helps to picture the cords being broken, it can be something you will remember. Then you will find your heart will begin to change.
Forgiveness never absolves the other from their real guilt. You do not have to return to the same level of friendship that you had before – sometimes that can never happen. But no longer do they continue to ruin your life by what they did years / months ago. Sometimes you may tell them that they are forgiven. Wait on God to reveal what is correct in your case.
Sorry about the length of this. Forgiveness is a very real issue, but one you must take at the speed you are able to.
Blessings
Janet McKinney
I third ravelry, there’s lots of great free patterns for all skill levels and tips and hints.
As for the friend situation; I doubt you’ll be able to go back to they way things were and if no contact doesn’t feel right then I think you might have to tell your friend how you feel, and let her take it from there.
I ended a stressful friendship about 6 years ago, it was hard and I do sometimes think about her but I do not miss the stress and angst she brought to my life, sometimes these things are for the best. Good luck.
I’m glad to hear you are healing well.
How blessed you are to have found a mentor!
I LOVE baking. I actually trained as a chef and ended up baking for a restaurant. Now I’m a baker by profession and chef at home : )
If I was to go back to school for culinary arts I’d specialize as a pastry chef for sure!
It’s not as hard as people think – you just have to be sure to pay attention to what you are doing and give it a little love.
I’m excited to hear about all these revalations you seem to be having!
As for your friend, talk to her. Maybe she doesn’t know what she’s done. If you value her friendship, help it heal. I went for years not talking to a friend and not knowing why. I’m so glad we are friends again.
Glad to read such a joyful, happy post!
That food looks really yummy! You sound so peaceful now, it dare I say you’ve found yourself?
Can you share some recipies with us all? You need to publish a cook book!
I’d love to know what you are reading for your study of contentment – I really think that is the secret to it all!
I’ve been lurking for a bit, really enjoying what I’ve been reading and hope to be able to catch up with earlier posts soon!
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I continue to love your blog. It is so good to hear that you are finding yourself through contentment. I look forward to read about life for you in 2009!
I continue to love your blog. It is so good to hear that you are finding yourself through contentment. I look forward to reading about life for you in 2009!
I too believe that life with take us where we’re meant to go if we only take the time to listen to what we’re being told (signs can be everywhere and anywhere but it’s up to us to notice them). All too often we fight against what’s right/best/good for us because we want something else but that only leads to discontentment. Better to live simply but be where you’re meant to be
And I’m so glad you’re loving knitting