| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Mar 19 2008 : 2:53:54 PM
Belle was someone I knew growing up in CT. We both had a love of the beach from as far back as we can remember and it was fate that brought us together one summer, when we were both 10. We met at the local beach and both had a fondness for ice cold Coca Cola and collecting shells and getting as tan as we could. We didn't frequent the same circles throughout the year. She was "priveleged" and live in a very nice home in Hartford while I live in little farming town. We wrote letters and talked on the phone and made sure, every summer, we would spend it on the water. Our friendship fell by the wayside as young adulthood took us each on our own adventure. Those 5-6 summers we spend together sure are some of my fondest memories.
Well, I have been making an effort to find long lost friends and I found her, after almost 17 years of not hearing from her. I emailed her and she wrote me back. We discussed the usual, where we have been and what not, but she really has inspired me. She was married, has 2 great kids and they must divide their time between dad and mom. So, she decided to go back to work after the kids were older and the divorce finalized. She has scrimped and saved enough to buy a cottage on the water in Georgia (she loves the hotter weather, just like me) and live the life of a beach bum. She has already secured another job, the kids are looking forward to changing schools and starting a new life and she looks forward to junking and scrounging to decorate her home. It is an literally an old shack that young campers used to use for the summers (it doesn't even have insulation) but she doesn't care. She startes work on it May 15th!!! She has sold about 90% of what she owns and as she says " I've got my 2 duffle bags, a back pack, and my Jeep loaded to go". She is having a friend bring what little furniture down later on. She and the kids are going to "rough" it by camping all summer while the house is worked on. HOW COOL!!!
She is so inspirational to me. She was the gal who had it all- the big house, picket white fence, lots of $$$, societal status and circles and after her divorce (hubby was being a bad boy ), he literally left her with nothing (kids do get some money and she has been saving it all for college and whatever else they need month to month). She wanted to stand on her own 2 feet.
She told me a story of how she ate grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese or tomato soup for weeks on end, because after the divorce, she was literally broke. But she made if fun for the kids, eating on the living room floor, picnic style, taking long walks (only thing that was free) and exploring the shoreline (she was living somewhere on the shore of CT). The would dumpster dive for furniture and even founds articles of clothing. She can thrift like no one you know and she makes do on less than $25,000 a year!! Way to go girl!!!
She sent me a picture and we are both 33 but she looks so happy (and tan...  ) and it makes her look about 23. She told me she lost over 75lbs that she was "holding" onto in the last year of her divorce and now, I swear, she looks like a supermodel.
So, I really have been evaluating my life. She gives me so much hope and really is helping me put my priorities in order.
Enjoy!!!
Cheers,
Heather
FARMGIRL #90 |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| mima |
Posted - Mar 20 2008 : 12:02:27 PM
SOOO inspiring! thanks!
"No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars,or sailed to an uncharted land or opened a new heaven to the human spirit." Helen Keller |
| bohemiangel |
Posted - Mar 20 2008 : 10:32:15 AM
AWESOME story thanks for sharing and inspiring! I literally make poverty line....with a college degree.
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://ligonierfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://liggygirl.blogspot.com/
http://liggygirlslonggreen.blogspot.com/
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| catscharm74 |
Posted - Mar 20 2008 : 10:31:08 AM
Thank you Alee!! I have really found that realizing they are my parents but they don't dictate my life now and I am still a good person (even if not their definition). I have to grow up a bit and take charge of me and what I want. My door is always open but I don't need to be there waiting for the day they might decide to show up.
Cheers,
Heather
FARMGIRL #90 |
| Alee |
Posted - Mar 20 2008 : 10:26:34 AM
Yay, Heather! And guess what! Your day or week didn't get destroyed by her calling! I remember not to long ago that just hearing her voice would have crashed your whole week. You are doing awesome and really taking charge of your life! You go girl! :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Mar 20 2008 : 10:17:47 AM
Yes, my attitude has always been normally good but I really feel the need to connect now with my past a bit so I can move forward. I am always amazed at the strong women I run into. I swear, it seem like women hit about 32 and it finally starts to click!! I have somehow become unafraid on all planes of my life and I feel like life has opened up to me and is just giving me so much and I am grabbing it for all I can!!
Even this week, my MOTHER called (collective sigh) and said I always am dreaming and have my head in the clouds and I finally said "So what, that is me and I Love me. I can fly as high as I want and be crazy and dream and at the end of the day, I love myself and my life." YEE HAW!!!
Cheers,
Heather
FARMGIRL #90 |
| Alee |
Posted - Mar 20 2008 : 10:13:56 AM
That's great, Heather! Isn't it fun to reconnect with old friends? And it is great that she is being proactive and not just moping around. It sounds like you both are really focusing on making your dreams come true this year!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Mar 20 2008 : 07:27:42 AM
She really sounds like someone who could inspire all of us. Best of luck to her.
Farmgirl Sister #98
Check out my new online store
http://www.shopthefrontier.com/VFstore/index.php?manufacturers_id=79&osCsid=6be4b25bf9555031c6e2e86bbde23dba |
| CountryBorn |
Posted - Mar 20 2008 : 07:23:50 AM
She sounds so happy.Instead of letting some hard luck get her down she turned it into an adventure. She and her kids will have
a wonderful time this summer fixing up their home. If you have found what your soul really has longed for, all else falls into place. I think you are headed in that direction yourself. Your posts have been so positive and so full of excitement for you and your family's future. In my opinion truly living the life that you want, that makes your spiirt soar, is to be really happy. Everyone else always has their idea of how you should live, but in the end it should be your own choices that matter.
I feel you are really on your way. What a great inspiration your friend has been.
MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
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