Sunday 9 October 2011

Amazing

Wednesday the 19th of October 2011 is a special day, no, probably more than special, it's a stupendous day. I might even go as far as saying it will be an exceptionally extraordinary day.

When I started I didn't think it would last this long. I didn't imagine this blog to be read by people all over the world. It gave me something to do while struggling to make ends meet, while downshifting, and making the transition between working less and living more. I had an operation in 2008, lost my job, became unemployed, and was managing on very little income. Juggling, oh I am brilliant at juggling, the only way I pulled through was to stop spending.

Some people might be frightened to death to see their lifestyle radically changing before their very eyes, but do you know, I didn't care. For me it was a relief. Gone was the pressure to earn money. At first I tried to find another job but I didn't beat myself up about it when no one responded to my applications. I gave up looking, I re assessed my life, and re adjusted to my new circumstances. I embraced frugaldom with arms open wide, as it was the only way I was going to survive.

Losing your job doesn't have to be a death sentence, it's not the end of the world, in fact it's the beginning of a new and better life. My bank balance was already at rock bottom when my job disappeared. Did I sit down and cry, did I hold my head in my hands and say, oh whoa is me, no I didn't. I just got on with it. It was a relief when I reached that great milestone, my 60th birthday, now at least the government was going to pay something towards my keep, after I had helped to prop up the benefits system for the last 45 years.


So, what's so special about Wednesday the 19th of October?

It will be my...........


< < < 1000'th post > > >



Tomorrow is the start of the ten day countdown. I want to make it ten days of fun. I want to bring back summer, so cast away all those black clouds and put on your brightest most colourfull clothes. I am going to dress up, a new outfit every day, so why don't you. We don't need reasons to be cheerful, because we are cheerful.

First there is a competition. I have ten raffle tickets at 50p each. I am going to send a cheque to Bransby Home of Rest for Horses for £10. The tickets are numbered 735071 - 080. Over the next ten days all those who comment each day will have their names in a hat and I will pull out one, that person will be allocated a ticket number.

The draw will take place on 19th of december. You never know one of you might be lucky. If we have a winner I will contact you via your link to ask for your address. Good luck everybody.

I think it is common knowledge that laughing is a great stress buster, therefore I will be trying my utmost to make you laugh. Even if you can only manage a titter, that will be enough. Life is too short to be grumpy, so look out for my Larf a Day.

I know a lot of you are looking for ways to lead a healthy and wholesome lifestyle, whether it be in mind, body or spirit. I have written my own Ten Commandments to give you some guidance on how you can work towards a long and lovely life. Just follow my wise words and you won't go far wrong.

And for the Grand Finale on the 1ooo'th post I will be giving away one of my lovely bags. To win it all you have to do is leave a comment on that day. Names will go into a hat, there will be a grand draw, and the lucky person will receive the bag, no matter where in the world you are. Howzabout that then, good eh!

So are you ready for the countdown? Don't forget, every comment during the next ten days will give you a chance of a raffle ticket. Midnight BST will be the deadline, I will let you know daily who the lucky person is.

Bet you are glad you are reading this now :0))

29 comments:

  1. The 1000 post mark creeps up before you realise it! Certainly worth celebrating

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  2. Ilona, you have such a positive attitude to life, you are amazing! I can hardly believe that your 1,000th post is imminent but I am willing you on to two thousand and beyond, you are an inspiration my dear. Well done.

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  3. PS, I like your new banner too.

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  4. Can I enter in the US? Raffle tickets should be good anywhere. Well, you did acknowledge that you have readers all over the world. If I won the bag, I know that would be a huge expense to mail it here, so could I have you send it to someone in the UK? 1000 posts! Wow!

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  5. Wow, that's a huge thing, 1000 posts! I keep thinking about writing a blog but have no idea what to call it and also don't think anyone would be interested. I'd love to participate in this.

    I've spent a great afternoon at a memorial bike race by invitation only and kept seeing people I've not seen for 20 yeas or more some of them. A couple of girls I raced with and fellas too. Great stuff all this remembering, isn't it? It really lifts your spirits.

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  6. Wow! I didn't know how you came to be a blogger. That is an inspiring story and you are a wonderful example of the "can do" spirit. Congratulations on reaching your blogging milestone too!

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  7. Congratulations Ilona. I've not reached 100 posts yet!

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  8. Congratulations on the upcoming 1000th post. I read your blog avidly every day and find it a ray of sunshine. Thank you. :)

    KB xx

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  9. What a great post! Your upbeat attitude to everything is fantastic and I'll be looking out for your 'larf a day'!

    Well done on the 1000th post too :)

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  10. Congrats on such a great blog and heading towards 1000 posts. I just love reading what you're up to each day and your positive attitude is a real shot in the arm, keep those posts coming!

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  11. Congrats on reaching your 1000th post!

    You have made a real difference to so many lives! Such an inspiration.

    AND YOU MAKE ME LAUGH!

    Sft x

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  12. Your blog is always a good read. Do you know that I first 'met' you on tv! When I found your blog I thought, I 'know' her, she was on the telly! Lol. So it's official, you are famous :-)

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  13. Ilona, your blog is a tonic. I wish you had been around when I was going through a tough time a few years ago. Keep up the good work.

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  14. The 20th is even better though, it's my birthday!!!! :D

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  15. Cor blimey 1000 posts, well done Ilona. Oh to win one of your bags how lovely would that be:) xx

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  16. Thank you for your kind words, I do my best.

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  17. I love your blog - as I ve said before you are authentic - you understand really frugality and are not always trying to justify a spending habit.
    I also like it that you dont swear and curse and blame the utility companies and supermarkets for higher prices ( higher prices in a market economy means high demand - not person insult) You are not continually crying "no fair" and your walking sucesses are second to none !
    Now do I win the bag or not ? (lol)

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  18. I better stop lurking and get to commenting. (lol) Seriously, congrats on your upcoming 1,000th post. Looking forward to the Larf a Day. :D
    Cat

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  19. a great post that oozes positivity. congrats to the upcoming 1000th post. i've got a long way to go :}

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  20. Yay 3 cheers for the MQ Millenium!

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  21. lizzie thank you for that comment. Your observations about my blog are spot on. There is no point in ranting and raving about utility companies, and prices of food in the supermarkets. Blowing a gasket is bad for the blood pressure, and it won't change anything.

    What I can do however is be realistic about what I need for a good life. I can change the way I deal with rising prices. It's all about staying on top of the game, not feeling sorry for myself and flicking the central heating switch, or rushing round the supermarket grabbing stuff willy nilly. These are short term fixes, which ultimately lead to long term pain.

    Ok, so it's not very comfortable if the temperature drops in the winter, but there's things I can do to keep warm which costs very little. And I am still happy, and not dead. My belly gets filled with cheap nutritious food, very little junk passes my lips, and I save a few p[ennies here and there to spend on my trips out. That's all I can wish for.

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  22. Oh No, where are your pants?

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  23. Her pants? Have I missed something Kath?

    After having read Lizzie's comment I am now trying to feel positive about the thought of my tiles having to be removed from my roof to find a leak. It's a very steep, long roof, with it coming down to living room window level at the front so there are a lot of roof tiles. I feel like I've been a moaner this morning ........ so, here goes - grin!

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  24. Hello Iam simone Ivisit your blog every day from malta!!!

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  25. Hello Simone, nice to meet you. Thank you for popping by.

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  26. well done on 1000 posts, I'm still on 200 and something since 2008. We've been living the frugal lifestyle since 2006 when we just managed to sell the house 10 days before it was repossessed! best thing that ever happened to us!

    Josie x

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  27. Congratulations Ilona! You are truly an inspiration to me.Wish I had your energy! Here's to 1000 more! Love Jen xxxx

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