Show, then aid - Sabine page 116

[Judg]

When I'm invited over, I let people know that I'm not eating grains, to avoid awkwardness on all sides. I tell them meat and veggies are okay, but that's a little more complicated with vegetarians for sure. I would definitely chow down on some protein before going, which I think would make sardines in the car unnecessary. I do have vegetarians in the family, but we just treat each other with respect, and make sure we've got food the others can eat. Cheese is a nice meeting ground.

I had to make a pasta salad for a family potluck recently (specifically requested by the hostess), but I made a pasta-free version on the side for me. Lots of veggies, feta, and avocado mayo.

[Coll]

Sabine, hope your get together meal went ok. I am so sorry you are feeling so stressed at the moment. It is tough to get out of that kind of feeling when it seems that everything keeps on knocking you down. I like the stuff Judg was saying about keeping on moving as if the last interview was a no and get focused on the next one instead of hanging so much on the last one.... Tough to do of course!

Eating with others can be pretty challenging. So many times folk assume that they know exactly what is ok and go the CW route even when you try to explain! Sigh...

[Sabine]

Ugh. So much gas.

[Sabine]

I ate non-primal things. Grains, grains, and more grains. And a lot of the crookneck squash casserole that I DID end up bringing.

Oh, well.

Everyone in the house except Littlest is struggling with stress. Middlest has her college stuff, and is picking up on our difficulties, too. She is old enough to realize that a mortgage is a big deal, and I am afraid that is causing her problems. I spent some hugging time last night, just reassuring her that her father and I will always take care of them, no matter what. Then I spent the night having dreams about money. Not restful at all.

Interview for my Honey today, but at an inconvenient time and place(from where he is working now, not from us; it would be a straight shot on the train, so that would be good), so that he had to go in VERY early, and will still only get 5 hours of work today. Hard to make up.

Pulled the last of our grass-fed beef out of the freezer for dinner tonight. And I made a batch of primal granola yesterday, which the girls immediately dived into. It is yummy stuff. Also found a recipe for making your own 'craisins' at home and am going to give it a try. I can only find dried fruits that have sugar added, which is ridiculous.

Did I mention that our town got a Trader Joe's? We stopped there yesterday on our way home, just to look around. They have full-fat greek yogurt! And some interesting sausages and salamis I'd like to try. But I was disappointed by their produce. Most of it seemed to be pre-packaged. Does a cucumber really need to be shrink-wrapped? My Honey thought the atmosphere was of a warehouse store/ clearance center. Maybe it was the high ceilings. It was definitely not as cozy as the two TJs I have visited in California. But I'll go back sometime when it is not crazy busy and look at things more leisurely.

[Siobhan]

If only you could burn it in the engine of your car...might make CW worthwhile sometimes. Imagine having pizza and beer on Saturday and then powering your car the rest of the week...or heating your home...

[Coll]

Lol Siobhan! Funny post!

Sabine, I'll have to look up the primal granola as another option for the kids and DH.... sounds interesting. Hope the stress levels start to ease off soon! I find that when a couple of us feel stressed, everyone else in the family seems to pick up on it and start getting more stressed too. Do you have things to do that help your stress levels? Like a bubble bath, a walk in the woods, lying in a hammock, lying on a beach tanning, swimming - something that works for you obviously.... just wondering if there is something positive you could do to take the worst of the stress levels down a little... Hugs to you! Hope today is a bit better!

[Sabine]

I have ways (even non-food ways ) of de-stressing, but at this point when I do them I feel even more stressed, because I feel I should be DOING something to generate money. My own job search is not going well. You know who wants to hire a housewife with general skills nowadays? No one. But what can you do except keep plugging away?

I had a double-yolk egg for breakfast on Sunday! That hasn't happened in a while. It made me happy when I looked down into the pan and it was smiling up at me. Bonus!

Crockpot chili for dinner tonight, as I will be off driving Middlest to a college program. There will be another one at the end of the week, which is being held at Maggiano's (a very nice Italian-style restaurant) where appetizers and desserts will be provided! Already looking forward to it. I'm hoping for antipasto and cheesecake!

[Judg]

Sabine, do be thankful that at least you can apply... I feel so bad sometimes, watching my husband work his butt off in stressful conditions, and I can't even try to alleviate it. I've made a little progress, but nowhere to the point where I could hold down even a part-time job.

Love Maggiano's. I was there last just before going primal, and I "practiced".

[Sabine]

I AM glad that I can do something, even if nothing is coming of it yet. There is something about taking an action that soothes the spirit.

One of the aggravations of this is that we are close to the point, where I was going to go back to work anyway. Just not close enough. In four years, Littlest will be off to college, and I will have the emotional space to begin a career, not just a 'job'. Right now though, I still need the flexibility to do my primary task of taking care of the family. That translates to low-paying part-time work. When I find it.

On the positive side, Honey had some good interviews yesterday, and he's feeling better. As if he WILL get a job offer soon. And when he's positive, I feel better.

Still going out to apply for another job today.

"Action is the antidote to despair."

[jenn26point2]

Hey Sabine. Love the idea of your daughter making her own 80's style dress for the dance. That is so cool. Would have LOVED to see it. I can picture it though and it reminds me of a Debbie Gibson video!

Jobs - hmmm... I'm currently employed and make a decent salary, but I'm still looking for something else b/c quite honestly, I'm overeducated for this position and I'm bored... but, despite my education, I am having a hell of a time finding anything that I'm qualified for. Would working at Walmart or trying to get a job at the new TJ's be an option? Seems Walmart is always hiring, and if it's only temporary, it might be a tolerable place to collect a paycheck from for the short term... Or are you looking for something in an office like setting?