As promised yesterday, here is How I’m Really Doing. 🙂
Life has changed drastically for me in the last few months.
This spring I went into hiding when a stalker tried to assault me in my apartment, I lost my grandfather and a very dear friend, and got seriously ill from mold poisoning then nearly died from three rare strains of Ecoli. My job was terminated without notice, I fell and severely tore the muscles and ligaments in my right foot, and went through a devastating personal situation. And that was only the beginning.
I honestly don’t know how I made it through this year. If it wasn’t for dear friends who loved me through every wretched bit of it, I don’t know that I would’ve.
If ever there was a time to start over with a clean slate, this was it. So in July I sold nearly everything I own, packed up the rest, and moved to Amsterdam for three months where I could be safe and recuperate.
It was the best thing I could’ve done. I slept, I traveled, I wrote. I met up with dear old friends and dear new ones. I took thousands of pictures and went to counseling and watched movies. I ate and drank delicious things, went to physical therapy and was finally able to start walking again. I danced at my brothers wedding and had grand adventures with my family and friends in Italy during the wedding week. I cried, talked, and thought through things until they didn’t hurt so much and I could smile genuinely and laugh heartily. I got comfy in my own skin and grew stronger and braver.
photo by Rita Reimer
Mid-October I packed up again and moved to Australia. I have two 6-month visas that allow me to work for room and board, so I’m living on my friends’ farm in rural Queensland in a lovely little one-bedroom house with a small porch that overlooks the bush. I’m having the time of my life learning how to mend fences, inoculate goats, and pluck chickens. I’m in charge of collecting eggs and sorting them for eating and incubating and I love it. I can’t wait for my first batch of fluffy yellow chicks to arrive.
I have the dearest man in my life who loves me unconditionally and gives me so much happiness. We have been the best of friends for the past three years and now that I’m in Australia we finally get to have a real, in-person relationship, working together, going on real dates, and having long talks over coffee on the back porch. His kindness, honesty, and love have healed my very scared and broken heart, and I feel the luckiest girl in the world. Due to the nature of his job I won’t be posting his real name or pictures of him here, but you’ll know it’s him when I refer to “bear” – my nickname for him. 🙂
I have such deep peace and happiness in this place, like I’ve finally come home. My health is so much better, no doubt due to all this lovely fresh air and sunshine, raw milk and fresh eggs, and knowing I am safe and loved. My ankle still troubles me every morning and evening, but I keep doing the exercises I’m supposed to and hopefully one day soon I’ll get to wear heels again. 🙂
I am flat broke after all my travels, but so very happy. Slowly but surely I’m building up my accounts again, paying off bills, and living a very simple but beautiful life. It may sound crazy, but I’m actually enjoying the adventure of being poor. 🙂 In the past I would’ve panicked, but I’m getting better at being brave. I’ve been through enough to know that I will be OK, and that worrying only makes things worse.
I have so much fun stacking up my coins on the kitchen table and deciding how to spend each treasured penny. I’ve been scouring thrift stores and sale aisles for good deals and am cheering on my newly planted garden. 🙂 I learned how to butcher, pluck and preserve chickens this weekend and now have a freezer full of free-range chickens. Every morning I have fresh eggs from my chooks and raw milk for breakfast and they are delicious.
Bit by bit I’m getting to know my hometown and environs, finding my place in this new land. I miss my beloved Washington and especially my dear people there, but I’m very happy in Australia and so grateful for this chance to start over.
How are YOU really doing today?
I knew part of your story over the past year Krista and it warms my heart to know that you feel safe and happy in your new home. As we know it doesn’t take a lot of money to be happy. I had a great day since it the first day working on my own at my new job. It will be a lot fo work for the next year but there is light at the end of the tunnel and enough money to stash away for that trip to Italy I have been dreaming about:D
Oh Val, I’m SO happy to hear about your new job AND that it gives you the chance to go to Italy!!! HOORAY! HOORAY! I love when good things happen to good people like you. 🙂
Hoorah! Hoorah! Best post over. Love you.
I love you too, dearest Corrie. XO
Your bravery and perseverance fill me with hope for the struggles (big and small) that I wrestle with. And your deep appreciation for the love of friends and comrades in helping you through your own struggles, causes me to reflect on how important it is to reach out — even (and especially) when it can be so very hard to do. I’m so happy to know you, Krista. And so deeply inspired by your courage and babysteppin’!! I can’t imagine a more beautiful, simple happiness than the place you’ve journeyed to. xx
Thank you so very much, dear Jacqueline! The worry dolls you sent me so many months ago are such a treasured reminder of your kindness and understanding. 🙂 I love your beautiful posts each day – they make me so happy to be in this world as they remind me of all the lovely things I have to be thankful for. Sending you a huge hug this day and hopes for renewed courage and strength as you face each and every one of your struggles. XO
Oh, this just makes me so happy! More then typed out words in a comment box but for now, they will have to do. =) Your honesty and bravery spurs me on and I am SO glad you are where you are, with dear friends. XXOO
Oh Breanne, thank you for cheering me on and encouraging me every day to find something to delight in. 🙂 I’m so happy to know you. 🙂 xo
This post made me SO happy to read. I can’t believe that you went through all of that and are still one of the most kind, generous and sweet people that I have ever met. I am so happy for you. You truly are an inspiration for me. xoxo
Thank you SO much, dear Cailin! 🙂 That means the world to me. I’m so very, very glad I got to meet you in London. Kindred spirits are hard to find and you are a treasure. xo
What a year you have had! And what an inspiration you are, too, good for you for taking huge chances and for taking good care of yourself. Love this post,
Love that you are finding a happy “new” life. I am wishing all that is happy for you! Xoxo Lidy
Thank you so much, Lidy! 🙂 Now that I’m on the other side of all that hell, it feels so good, so peaceful, and I am very, very grateful. 🙂 xo
So good to hear you are on a healing path! hugs to you
Thank you for the hugs, Cheryl! I really appreciate that. 🙂
Krista! What a beautiful, brave post… I admire you so very, VERY much and rejoice in your “now”:) Looking so very forward to each update! Big hug:)
My dear Patricia, I can’t thank you enough for the support and encouragement you’ve given me these last months. 🙂 I wish I could hug you tight in return. 🙂
I had no idea about all of this heavy stuff, Krista. You always seem so up-beat in your posts. Wow. Glad to hear that you’re feeling better and that things are back on track.
I do hope that you go wine tasting in Australia and write about it here. Can’t wait to read more on that. Perhaps you can review Penfolds Grange? How cool.
Your routine in Queensland sounds ideal. It is spring there I think. How will the summer weather be do you think? We’re about to enter the rainy season in San Francisco this week and I’m dreading it!
Thank you, Stevie. It’s been a difficult time but I’m so grateful to be on the other end and look back and know that it’s OK now. 🙂
I would love to write about Penfolds Grange! I will have to look into that. 🙂
I think the summer will be roasting hot! 🙂 Thankfully I’m inland so I don’t have the intense humidity of the coast. 🙂
I know I don’t comment often, but I read, and marvel at your strength and positive attitude… You inspire us all, truly. I’m so happy to hear of the joy you’ve found!
Oh Astra, thank you for stopping by and letting me know. I really, really appreciate that! 🙂 I’m so grateful to have made it this far and wish you much joy as well. 🙂
Wow, wow, wow! What a year! So glad to hear that you’re stronger and in a better place at the end of it. Thanks for being so honest! Can’t wait to hear more about your adventures on the farm.
Thank you so much for being so supportive, Amy. 🙂 That means a lot to me. I was out puttering in my garden this afternoon and can’t wait to show you pics of how everything is coming along. 🙂
I’ve been having a hard time of things lately (not even remotely in the region of what you’ve described here but tough for me) and reading your post reminds me that even when things are bad and getting worse they will always eventually get better. With hard work and time you can pick yourself up and get back to a good place in your life. Thanks so much for this post, it’s reassuring to hear other people have bad times as well and inspiring to hear about how they made it though to the other side. All too often we only show our positive happy thoughts and experiences on our blogs, so it’s nice to get something a little more real for once!
Dear Ruth, I’m so sorry you are hurting right now. Sending you a big virtual hug from Australia and hoping so much that things get better for you soon. In the meantime, I wish you strength, courage, and much hope. xo
How wonderful that your are “home” and in love and rebuilding your life. I’m cheering you on. Can you hear me? Take care. Blessings…Mary
I sure can, Mary!! 🙂 And you made me smile so big this afternoon. 🙂 xo
We are so glad that you came to Gozo and that you were able to stay with us on your travels. As i said to you during our “chats” by the pool, we do not know how you have managed to come through it all and still be happy, contented and a beautiful person. You are now strong and able to achieve anything on whichever path you choose.
We think about you often and we are sending you hugs, love and kisses. xxxxxxx
My dearest Janet – how grateful I am to have met you at the perfect time. 🙂 You were such a comfort and strength to me and I TREASURE my time in Gozo with you guys. 🙂 I love you dearly and hope so much to visit you again soon. 🙂 xoxo
you go girl! i’m very jealous about the blue eggs part. (wink!)
Aren’t the blue eggs lovely, Paradis? 🙂 They’re actually duck eggs and are SO good in baking!
I can’t believe what you have been through. Your inner strenghth is amazing. I’m so happy for you that you have found the peace and happiness that you deserve.
Thank you so much, dear Jenny. 🙂 I’m so grateful to be on this side of all that awfulness.
Wow Krista! I followed some of the traumas you write about and am SO happy to see that you have found your bliss. Sometimes the energy in a
place is just not right for us , and that’s when it seems everything is going wrong. I think it was just the energy of the place
clashing with your personal energy. Thankfully, things “feel” completely different in Oz,and that is a sign that this may be a good place to
settle for a while. Can’t wait to hear more about “Bear” 😉
They feel SO different here, dear Vanessa. My whole being seems to thrive and I’m very, very grateful. I love my bear so much and promise to tell you more stories in the months to come. 🙂 XO
Gorgeous post Krista and I’m so glad that you’re feeling good and loved 😀
Thank you so much, Lorraine. 🙂
Wow…glad to hear you are back on the road to good health and success. Hugs to you.
Thank you very much for the hugs, William. 🙂 They are always welcome!!
Oh, Krista… There’s so much to say! First of all, you are an amazing woman. You’ve been through a lot and came through with grace and courage…you’re such an inspiration. And I am so, so happy for you from the bottom of my heart! The simple life you’re living sounds like it’s full of little joys in every moment. You deserve every happiness, my friend. XOXO
Dearest Faith, thank you so much for everything you wrote. 🙂 I could hug you so tight. XO
Krista, this may be the best post I’ve seen on your blog thus far (and that’s saying something). I’m so happy to see you doing so well!
Thank you, my dear Ulysses. 🙂 I couldn’t have made it this far without you. 🙂
So happy for you!!!!! Thank you for the updates!!
Thank you, Janelle! I’m so happy to hear from you. 🙂 xo
I’m so glad you settled in Australia. It’s so good for you. Have a happy, sunny life there! 🙂
Thank you, dear Zita! I hope you will be able to come visit me soon. 🙂
This was a phenomenal read..I’m so glad you’re continuing to heal in such a lovely way. These travels were definitely what you needed, and I’ve so enjoyed reading about them and looking at your beautiful photos. I think of you often, and was hoping you would let us know where you’re at emotionally. It’s just as I hoped, sweet girl – and broke or not, I concur, worth every single penny! *hugs*
Oh Lisa, you never fail to cheer me right up and make me feel strong and brave. 🙂 Thank you, dear lady!
I’m so glad that your new life in Australia is everything you hoped it would be – I didn’t want to let you go at the airport that day, but I knew you were going to the absolute right place. I love you and I’m so unbeliveably happy that you came into my life 🙂 xo
Thank you, my dearest Katy. 🙂 I was so scared that day but your hugs and love gave me courage and I made it. Miss you dreadfully and wish so much I could hop on the train to come see you and have good long talks over tea. 🙂 xo
I’m stressed out due to how much work I have on my plate but have dubbed this the “festive season” even though we are travelling and in our own little world. Enjoying the beginning of the end of our rtw travels this year… You’re a beautiful person and I’m so glad to hear that you are recovering and so very happy! Thanks for always posting in a way that I get a smile on my face – I look forward to your posts and progress in Australia! =) ~Andrea.
Oh Andrea, I sure identify with your stress and hope you get some downtime soon to get all caught up. I love that you’re making this season festive in spite of your huge to-do list. You’ve inspired me to celebrate this time too. 🙂 xo
Oh Krista, I am so incredibly proud and happy for you. No one deserves this new found peace as much as you!
Thank you so very, very much, dear Duchess! 🙂 xo
Cheers to new beginnings.
Velva
Thanks so much, Velva! 🙂
I’m so very proud of you. I know that may sound strange, but I see your heart opening more as you share more of yourself on here. I am amazed at your strength and sincere faith in the world. You inspire me!
Thank you so very, very much, Erin. That means a great deal to me. 🙂
This is a wonderful post and I think moving to Australia may be the best thing that has happened to you as everything sounds as if it is coming together Krista. Take Care xx
Thank you, dear Linda. 🙂 I really think it is. Life is never, ever perfect, but oh it’s so good. 🙂
So happy for you Krista! Wasn’t quite sure why you had picked Australia before but now I understand! Enjoy the new adventure!xx
Thank you, Lana! 🙂 I love this new adventure, it’s scary sometimes, but so very, very good. 🙂
My love – I am inspired by you and thankful you have this great door opened for you. Thrive in Oz…..love you loads and thrilled I got to meet you!
Thank you more than I can say, dear Oz. XO You are such a treasure to me. 🙂
Holy F. I am never going to complain again about anything bad that happens – you have had a tough, tough year. So so glad that you’re in such a great place now and all the best for a waaaaay better year next year! 🙂
Thank you SO much, Rebecca. 🙂 Your message came just when I needed some cheering on. Thank you. 🙂