For many weeks, before we hit a good, new groove, week days were hard. The pace was tough for us all,  but added to that, the struggle with transitions made them very tough for my son. We all needed green space, relaxation and rest, but with the lack of outdoor space where we live, no garden and to be honest no time, it was nigh on impossible. As the warmer weather arrived and with it lighter evenings, plus some new meds and easier transitions, we’ve been able to push bedtime back an additional 30-45 minutes. And with that time, we’ve been able to do something: swimming, a bike ride, sometimes a craft (but the truth is, we all benefit more from time out of doors). I’m trying, even when very challenging to commit to carving out this time, even during the week when schedules are rushed, to give them an hour of just being in the moment - no talk of bedtime or what comes tomorrow, no errands or chores or cooking, just family time without distraction. I feel we all breathe easier and have the continued solidification as a unit that we need, not just on weekends, but each and every day; we have so much to make up for. My arthritis being easier the next day, after exercise, is another added bonus, too. And the benefits make the challenges (10:40pm and both children still awake, despite going to bed more than 2.5 hrs ago! Sigh!) easier, a tad less frustrating !

I’m proud those protesting against the poverty, abuse, suppression & harships women face. I’m proud of those signing petitions and breaking down systemic barriers. I’m also proud of those who have no choice but to suffer silently. They are strong too, so strong.

I don’t have many other words. This year I ache more for girls and women because I am now the mother of a daughter…things must change.

I leave you with this excellent article on the best and worst places to be a woman.

If I owe you an email or phone call please accept my apologies – no working computer and no phone makes it very difficult to communicate!! I do hope to be back soon

Hi Frugal Trenches

One thing I love about your blog is that you blog about the good and the bad and seem to find blessings even in hard times. The truth is I have a hard time reading most blogs because they all seem too perfect. Perfect couples, perfect children, money for fun and luxuries like nice vacations in Mexico or nice meals at restaurants or spa days. How do you cope with reading about people’s perfect lives?

Maggie, one thing I have learned both through blog reading and my own experiences, as well as those of friends and family, is that no one has the perfect life! In fact there was one blog I read where it really seemed like they did, four beautiful children, a luxury home, a strong marriage, fabulous vacations/holidays, amazing clothes, mom at home, dad works part time and then boom they shared some more personal struggles and things are far from perfect for them! Do some people have much easier times than others? Yes!!! Do some people have an easier time economically? Absolutely! But, I’ll let you in on a little secret, people only blog about *some* aspects of their lives! Some people who blog have  a child, sibling or parent with significant mental health challenges, but they do not blog about it, for a variety of reasons which are right for them. There are people who blog, who have a spouse or fiancée in the SF or other similar types of work and they simply can not blog about them, to the point where readers may not even know they exist.  There are people who blog who are suffering miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies in silence, some people choose to blog about these things, others don’t.

I do not want an easy life, although I would like some things to be easier at times. I rely on my faith when I have feelings of inadequacy or fear, I know the Lord has great plans for His children and I take incredible comfort in that.  I do not want my life to be filled with luxuries, instead I’d like to live my life serving others and yes I do get frustrated when it seems like I have the heart to do it, but not the practical means. My values help me keep away from the feelings of wanting what others have, and instead I focus on remembering that the reality is each person has their own struggles, some are simply more visible than others!

I hope that helps

• The kit kat, well, I’m not too positive about her recovery! She has a major major gash about the size of a fist (!!) on her side. I’ve had a look with a surgical light and personally I think it needs a good 8-12 stitches! Yet she is back to eating (yesterday chowing down on jalapeno peppers!!), seems far better than last week etc, but the size of the wound is staggering!!! I plan to phone the vet again today and gently (!) double check he doesn’t want to do stitches! ;0) Any advice???
• The kit kat has decided my bed is the only place she will sleep - only it is right in the path of where my body should go and she is not willing to compromise!!!
• I am knee high in paperwork for my new position – yet I feel they are stalling about a few things and I’m worried it won’t all come together funding wise (another position locally just lost it’s funding!). Sigh! I will keep trusting and try to just accept whatever happens.
• I have a booking for something which is very very important on July 30 and am so excited and yet scared out of my wits, yet excited, yet scared ;0)!
• I am attempting to go swimming today sans car, this involves three buses, two walks and takes 1.5 hours to go somewhere which is a 15 – 20 minute drive (depending on traffic!). Swimming is very good for my emotional health and well-being as well as my physical health, plus it is free, so a 3 hour journey for a 40 minute swim seems semi-reasonable ;0)
• I’m putting a post together about finding what your passion is, based on this post. Should be up later today or tomorrow!
• My new post will be up at the co-op later today!
• I read a very very sad story about a bunny being abused and I was distressed all day yesterday about it! I will never never never understand people and I find stories like this extremely upsetting! It always makes me feel so helpless!
• The Rachel Allen free ebook is wonderful!
• I was listed as one of the 75 blogs which will change your life by accountingdegree.com (thanks!)!
• I am spending a lot of time dancing to this
• My violin needs new strings which won’t be happening until I’m working! All in all with no swimming and no violin playing (my two major hobbies) I feel slightly in a funk!
• I have had a headache for 6 days which is not making the funk any easier to shake!

And that is what is happening at my house, what’s happening at yours?

I’ve been much more conscious lately of what I eat for breakfast, I became aware I needed to after noticing I was hungry and craving food that wasn’t so good for my body within an hour or two of breakfast. Breakfast is a meal I struggle with due to my allergy to eggs, my need to really limit my wheat intake and my disdain for salt (a lot of breakfast cereals are just filled with salt & sugar – on a side note it is salt awareness week ). I struggle with yogurt, but have found as long as I add a lot of other ingredients to my yogurt and choose a thicker yogurt (Fage is the favourite), then I’m usually happy.

Lately my breakfasts have been a mix of yogurt, a couple of fruits (my current kick is grapefruit and blueberries), seeds, peanut butter (for protein), seed mix & flax seeds.  It sounds like a lot, but it is a small portion of each! I cost this breakfast out at around £0.50 (around .94 cents US). Now who says healthy food can’t be frugal?

What’s your favourite breakfast?

:: Attending my book group with the most wonderful tribe of ladies [I've decided not to go to my bookgroup sadly, I have a very sick kitty who bled a lot today (just back from the vet now) who needs a little bit of TLC!]
:: Spending time with the donkeys and perhaps visiting a farm! [yes, I may refuse to leave]
:: Completing a job application, or two.
:: Walking along a beach
:: Swimming
:: Hiking in the woods, or on the moor
:: Listening to Bob Dylan (link to a cover with wonderful vintage images)
:: Staring at the sky for more than a moment or two, in fact I may gaze at it forever
:: Playing this on my violin – until my soul remembers the feeling, sound, movements
:: Finding energy and bottling it up in a jar – I’m seriously in very low supply (the disasters of today didn’t help – more later!)
:: Praying, Hoping, Believing
:: Knitting (the most incredible nesting instincts have kicked in as of late…)
:: Snuggling with my babe who needs a bit of tender loving care…

What are your weekending plans? I do hope they are grand!

• A brilliant blog all about plastic and how to eliminate it! I admit I disdain plastic yet still have a long way to go to cut down my consumption!
• Some very funny cakes on the site Cake Wrecks
• Get your free vegetarian starter kit from the PETA website

USA

• Go here to get a free sample of Avery Label Pads
• Go here to sign up for the Pillsbury newsletter and receive $10 worth of coupons
• Free samples of Kashi cereal or grain bar [let it be said that I am exceptionally jealous, I fell in love with Kashi apple cinnamon oatmeal when I was in NYC but you simply can not get it in the UK. I miss Kashi!]
• Go here to get a free copy of Home Educating Family

UK

• A huge amazing BA seat sale - seriously NYC for £299!!!!!!!
• The Co-op had an amazing deal of 12 toilet roll for £2.50 (regular £5.50+), not sure if it is still on but stock up if you can, similarly Poundland has a great deal of 6 toilet roll for £1, so actually 12 for £2 (when you think of what some of the other shops charge, this is a real bargain!) 
• The Co-op currently has a good deal on HP Sauce (450 g) & Ketchup (700 g) little luxuries which are not always in my grocery budget, but when they are less than 50% of their normal cost, I might just make room
• Poundland has large Colgate toothpaste on sale for £0.69 (this toothpaste I’ve seen in grocery shops for £1.50+) I couldn’t find it on their website, but I found it in the store (and bought 4!)
• A free guide/site which tells you what food is currently in season
• Edited To Add: Homebase has an amazing deal on low energy lightbulbs 0.10 pence!!!! Plus they have small Ecover for 0.89p (I normally struggle to find it for less than £1.30!)

Canada, USA & UK

• Robeez has a 50% of sale on babies & children’s shoes (change the currency depending on your country). A friend of mine just stocked up on 5 sets as gifts for Christmas as she said “shopping done” lol. It looks like the sale changes depending on your country – in the UK it is 40%.  The only problem with ordering online is you can’t tell where the shoes are made which, if you are trying to be an ethical consumer makes it a tad tough!

Today I am thankful for:

:: A cat who wants to snuggle, most of the time
:: A sky which provides endless hours of entertainment, joy & photography
:: A plan which is coming together!
:: Friends both near and far
:: Vintage cookbooks
:: A friend who brought a delicious meal, just because!
:: My car, all repaired minus the stereo
:: A friend, who after 45 years of waiting for motherhood, found out she was matched with a 4 year old girl in a land far away; her arrival home, after 4 years of paperwork, mere months away!
:: An email from one of my best friends sharing her plans to go to Haiti very soon!
:: Being able to give to Shelter Box and see the awesome work they do!
:: Books like this one which I don’t own  – but I’m just happy it exists for the future!
:: The ability to daydream, oh how grand it is!

What are you thankful for today?