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))