Life Circle - Week 2 Task

Sorry, this is coming out rather late. Better late than never though.

For those of you just joining, this is my 2^nd Life Circle post (the first can be found HERE ), group life coaching run by Kate of the Five F’s Blog. The task this week was to do a little long-term planning.

So, on with the show...

5 Years time:

In five years time I will be 29 years old – golly! I want to have moved out of my parents home by then although where I actually move to doesn’t matter too much as long as I’m still within easy distance of my family. I want to have a job – part or full time – but one which I enjoy, can physically do and which uses some of the skills I’ve learnt over the past 3 years of college. Perhaps I will have my own business but it will be a small one; I’m not interested in becoming a small cog in a massive corporation. I have no idea what my relationship status will be. I’m happy how I am now but meeting someone isn’t totally out of the realms of possibility. Healthwise I will be doing more, going out more, feeling less of a burden and able to complete normal everyday tasks without difficulty. As I’m also very overweight, I will be slimmed down and healthier. But what do I want to achieve? I’ve no idea really – perhaps reading through half my library or watching half the DVDs in my collection? Each will certainly take a while!

2 Years time:

In order to have moved out of my parents house I will need to have a job so that is a must! Perhaps I will need to build up some stamina in my energy levels so work will be part-time rather than full. If I’m running my own business, it may still be getting off the ground so that will be an exciting and busy time. Healthwise I will have lost the weight I need to (as I’m dieting now and hope to continue!) but will be increasing my fitness levels perhaps by walking or swimming.

6 Months / 1 Years time:
These go hand in hand really! By this time I will have applied for/started a new job – pert-time to begin with though. I will slowly be saving money to rent or buy my own place and to pay bills/buy furniture etc although plans will to be made. Healthwise I will be slimmer and slowly losing weight and as my weight decreases, I will hopefully have more energy to do things. As for starting my own business? I’m going on a one-day intro course on Tuesday so we’ll see what happens then!

I have to say that’s certainly cleared up a lot of this for me and has been really useful. I can’t wait to see what will actually happen in these time frames.

Looking forward to reading all your posts,

Jenny x

Cakestand and Crumb

It’s been a while since I have actually made the time to go somewhere new and different – usually Waitrose, Tesco and Age UK are my places to go if I want to get out of the house for a while but this morning I had a little explore...

In the Georgian market town of Ampthill in Bedfordshire there are many tea shops, cafes and restaurants but there is one tea room that is very different from all the rest. This is Cakestand and Crumb. It is relatively new to the area and can be found down the Kings Arms Yard – sounds exciting already! Having heard stories and tales from members of the family about this tea room with a vintage theme, I decided this morning to take a little trip and find out for myself what could be so wonderful about this little place. Well, I can certainly say it lived up to its high praise. There were delicious homemade cakes, leaf tea in a pot with a dainty china cup and saucer, old-fashioned mismatched chairs and tables, vintage paraphernalia dotted around the walls and floor. It was a real pleasure to visit! 

Unfortunately this wondrous shop is only open Thursday to Sunday but it is well worth a look in. I guarantee you’ll love it as much as I did. 

You can find Cakestand and Crumb on Facebook here

 

And here you can find local Textile Artist Steph’s blog post about her visit to Cakestand and Crumb where she will, over the coming months, be holding some exciting Crochet workshops for beginners and above.

Life Circle - Week 1 Task

For those of you visiting this blog for the first time, let me introduce myself. My name is Jenny, I’m 24 years old and live in Middle Narnia aka Bedfordshire. I was diagnosed with ME in October 2001 and have, over that time, gradually changed my life in order to make the most of the energy I have.

I am taking part in Life Circle; group life-coaching run by Kate of the Five F's Blog and this is my reply to the first task and I hope I do it justice.

  

Fun & Recreation

Score 6/10

I gave this score mainly due to my ME/CFS as the majority of my fun and recreation comes from low-energy entertainments – abseiling, running, hang-gliding and swimming are sadly out of my range right now. However, I can include things such as crochet, watching DVDs and T.V (limited amounts unfortunately - concentration takes an amazing amount of energy), socialising (when possible), going online and reading (also high energy unless listening to an audio book). I also enjoy going to the cinema, reading in the park (well, my version of it) and cooking.

By the way, sorry if I seem to be mentioning 'energy' so much but my life seems to revolve around it. I’m not sure if the ME is a positive or negative impact overall as I can see only the changes made to life now – not what may have happened if I never got ill. Oh to be Doctor Who.

Career

Score 7/10

While not currently in paid employment, I do greatly enjoy the ‘jobs’ I am working now. I have (and have had) the opportunity to gain experience with some great organisations, work hours which suit me and operate at my own pace. I’ve just finished three years of college and while I am looking for paid employment, I don’t feel an overwhelming need to be in it. Yes, at some point there will come the time when I have to stop messing around - but not right now, eh?

Health

Score 4/10

I’ve already said a bit about my health. While I’m not exactly pleased with it, I know that I could be in a worse state and that there are many people out there who are far worse off than me. I can still walk, get around under my own steam, talk, type and read. Plus, I’ve met many people and done things which without this illness I never would have – there has to be something said for that. Do I wish that there was a cure? Of course! Do I wish that I knew when I would get better? You bet! But am I going to do and learn what I can while I can? No doubt. Six months ago I was in the same place I am now, but I wonder where I’ll be in six months time!

Personal Development

Score 6/10

Having just completed three years of study, I’m enjoying the break now I’m taking a year out. I’ve enjoyed learning new things but now I feel it’s time to develop in other ways. I have some skills so perhaps now is the time to get the piece of paper saying I can do it (Computers come to mind!). I also feel I need to develop in other ways; namely socialising and mixing more with current and new friends. Although I have a small number of people I regularly meet with, I don’t feel able to ask someone to socialise with me – I feel a lot like I’m on the outside looking in at other peoples friendships. I want to be able to go out and meet people although currently I loathe introductions and being in new situations – definitely an area in need of development. But how does one start?

Friends & Family

Score 6/10

This is one area that I definitely need to improve. I live with my parents and younger sister, but as the rest of the family life a minimum of 2 ½ hours away I rarely get to see them. With grandparents and all other members of the family getting older, I want to see more of them – distance shouldn’t be an excuse. The same goes for friends, I long to see more of them and should be proactive rather than reactive.  

Environment

Score 6/10

While I do, for the most part enjoy living with my family it is my goal to move out. A far far away goal perhaps with no paying job and a very expensive housing market – not to mention the amounts needed to actually run and maintain a home. As for where I live – I’m happy with it – hence the higher score. Middle Narnia is a great county, close enough to everything I need.

Finance

Score 2/10

Work needed. However, I do love a bargain and can often find them.

Romance/Significant Other

Score 5/10

Although I have no romance or significant other in my life at present, I can’t say I particularly mind. I see other people, many my age or younger who have boyfriends / girlfriends / fiancés / husbands / wives etc and although there may be a twinge, I honestly feel better for being single. I don’t have to answer to another person or put their needs or wants first or anything else that comes with being in a relationship. But then how can you miss something you’ve never had?

From all this I can see that my health is the biggest thing holding me back. Although I can’t change this state, I hope to find new ways of working with what I do have and making the best of it.

Well that’s it from me. I look forward to reading and commenting on all your posts.

Jenny x

Hi! Welcome! Please, leave your shoes on the rack by the door... oh, you brought slippers?...

Please, don't mind the mess - i'm still decorating and there are at least a dozen boxes of 'stuff' in the garage left to unpack...

Over the past few years i've tried to keep many blogs and none seem to have lasted a particularly long time. Perhaps it was because nothing interesting seemeed to happen in my life, or because i could never remember to write what funny thing had happened (oh for mobile blogging!). But now, here we are again at the beginning of another blog and this one has been set up for a reason, oh yes! But that will be made clearer in the next entry, when i have time to make snazzy html links and put a few piccies up.

For now though, please take a seat and i'll pop the kettle on for a cuppa. Yes? You want coffee? Well ok, but i only have instant - is that ok? Busuits too? But you just ate breakfast, you said so when you came in! Oh, you're as bad as the ABC lot!