It is no exaggeration to say that I have been completely, utterly, blown away by the response to my first post.
I should probably provide a little context here. I first registered the domain name of this site over two years ago, flush with the enthusiasm prompted by getting a new, permanent place to live. But because of indisposition, sloth and the strength of will of a bowl of custard, it's taken this long to actually get it going. So clicking on the 'Publish Live' button on Saturday morning was a massive step for me. Quite often, for extended periods, I have been incapable of functioning at even the most basic level. For the past several years, I have lived as a virtual recluse, with hardly any social contact with anyone who wasn't paid to talk to me. So to bask in the warm glow occasioned by your kind comments was a rare joy. If you were to ask, I'd say that the three most important things in life are laughter, kindness and curiosity. Well, you've made me laugh (and cry), you've shown me great kindness and you've made me curious about the future (which I haven't been for some considerable time). In October of 2010, I began volunteering with the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. I was doing work related to their commitment to the concept of Recovery. That all went tits up in March of last year when I took another swan dive off the precipice. Yesterday, I re-established contact with the team and, for some strange and wonderful reason, they have asked me to come back and work with them again. I start next week. That is largely down to you lot. (If you are unfamiliar with the concept of Recovery, do have a look at this lovely short film.) So, to all those of you who have left comments here, or emailed me, or tweeted me, or posted links to this site, I just want to say one thing: YOU GUYS FUCKING ROCK. The Skintster xxx
29 Comments
Good luck for next week! If you ever feel up to it, and can spare the time - and face people - I would love to take you to lunch or dinner one day. It's a Thing I do. :D Or at the very least give you a box of cookies. That is also a thing I do.
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And if three's not a crowd, I'd love to do that too.
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10/1/2012 01:31:04
Congratulations on the work - how exciting!
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Sam
10/1/2012 03:15:54
Phenomenal site and fbook page - loving your work, I am so glad this project is giving you the courage to feel positive about life and the future. You are inspirational.
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Sheddles
10/1/2012 03:22:14
Corrrrr, you don't do things by halves do you? If you put as much effort into being crackers as you have done this site, it's a wonderous thing that you're getting back on your feet :-)
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xmassteps
10/1/2012 04:22:54
Fantastic blog, wonderful idea.
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Jamie P
10/1/2012 05:25:15
This blog is going to be amazing! I read your piece in Fire and Knives a few months ago and it really stuck with me. Your writing is humbling and practical. I quite often suffer from poor mental health myself, and I think you're really brave to create something wonderful out of it and put yourself out there. Perhaps you could set up some sort of PO Box where people could send you fancy schmancy ingredients as a gift? Good luck, though I don't think you'll need it.
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You are one amazing, amazing human being. And I never say that lightly.
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10/1/2012 07:39:14
You're very much an inspiration and I reiterate the above offer to take you to lunch one day. I am delighted you’re going back to volunteer at the trust and I hope all goes well on your first day.
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10/1/2012 09:06:23
Mate,
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TC
10/1/2012 10:09:26
Just dropped by to say WOW and good luck.... It's 5 years now since I hit the floor and lost the lot..... so I have every sympathy for you... I've been incredibly lucky and got a chance to start afresh again too - different route to yourself.
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Victoria
10/1/2012 10:34:56
Wow! Keep going xx
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Just to reiterate everything everyone else has already said really - you are an inspiration and this site is amazing. Also, I LOVE the idea of setting up a PO BOX where people can send you ingredients to cook with - kind of like a weekly 'Ready Steady Cook' where you show us what to do with various things. They don't have to be fancy ingredients.
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How could people not like this blog? You clearly know what good food is really about and its not necessarily the price! Well done.
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Trudie
10/1/2012 14:24:14
Ditto to everything everyone else has said before me. I'm really enjoying reading your blog and your posts on FB. You are an inspiration. I love the idea of a PO BOX as kind of 'Ready Steady Cook by blog'! I
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cara
10/1/2012 16:46:53
Well done! Your site and blog are wonderful. I look forward to trying your recipes and reading your sparky and original writing in equal measure from across the pond in Oire-land. Go n-éiridh an bóthar leat...may the road rise with you.
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Rooloo
10/1/2012 19:48:32
Dear Skintster,
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Heeln
11/1/2012 05:08:55
YOU ROCK! Your writing makes me want to shop, cook and eat and I can't wait to read more.... All good luck to you. x
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Parsley
11/1/2012 07:37:40
Amazing blog. And here's a suggestion already: Could you put the source of the food in the recipes? (The shopping page is great, but the info would be useful on the recipe page). Because cooking well on a budget is always a trade-off of money and time, i.e. it does take time to find good, cheap ingredients.
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11/1/2012 12:51:57
Just found you via india knight's retweet. Anyone who quote PG Wodehouse has my vote. Love your writing and your resilience. Thank you.
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The Skint Foodie
12/1/2012 17:42:08
Dear Everyone
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13/1/2012 06:09:56
Such a fan of kindness from strangers! I think it can change the world!
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Rachel
1/3/2012 04:00:29
Stumbling upon the link to your blog has made my day! I've suffered from depression too and it takes major balls to claw yourself back out of its clutches like you're doing. You have lots to offer - keep up the good work! Thanks for giving me inspiration and some great recipes to try this weekend.
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The Skint Foodie
1/3/2012 13:22:02
Thanks Rachel!
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Diane
2/3/2012 12:49:38
Love your approach to food! .. it doesn't have to cost a fortune and I like the way you are inventive with what you have in the cupboard and careful about what you buy .. keep it up :)
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You deserve several medals for this website, and that’s no exaggeration either. I have a terribly sporadic and neglected Blog which I intended to post to waaaaay more often than I do. It was (and certainly still is) a kinda first experimental step into the blogging world and to get my lifelong background ambition to get ‘writing’ regularly.
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The Skint Foodie
11/3/2012 15:00:23
Hi Kevin. Bugger - now I'll have to keep going with this after those very kind words!
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