The First Choice

So not only did I find a job but disability came through. So what do you do? The first logical thing was to run the numbers. So the monthly take home pay from the job would be about $50 more than the social security payment. Add in transportation clothing and the enivitable eating out or snack food purchases and social security would come out ahead. So a done deal right. Well I don't think I am comfortable with not working. Two main ideas stick in my head. One I don't want to remain sick. I don't want to be ill forever. I want to get better to fight this thing. Also there can be much joy found in hard work. I was raised to take full responsibility of what is mine and what I do. So with that in mind I let go of the sure and put my feable brain to the test with work. I was content with the job and what was required of me to complete it. It wasn't stressful and being 3rd shift no management hovering over you. I then received notice that a previous application and interview was accepted and I now had a second job. Choice #2

So many choices...

I have been meaning to begin this post only a dozen or so times. But I received a jolt and some clarity just a few minutes ago, so I feel motivated to type. Work.... This noun or verb is a part of everyone's life. Some go to a building outside of their home, some chase children, others animals, even others may to hours scheming and plotting. The difficulty I have been having with this word as of late is how it should look in my life. I am a mom of 7 growing kids. So right there, there's a ton of work. In my situation I also have to bring in income into the household as well as educate and nurture my brood. The idea alone is sometimes over-whelming. Spiritual guidance, secular guidance, nutrition, medical needs and now add to that outside expectations. Add to this the fact that I suffer from bi-polar disorder with psychotic features. Needles to say my emotional make-up is sometimes a fragile one. But again I have to no choice but to add to the pot. Because of my disorder going into business for myself is not the wisest thing to do. So that leads me to getting a more traditional job in the work place. Last November, my mental condition came crashing in around me. I was completely disabled. I had to stop working and for the next ten months I focused on getting myself healthy and maintaining what I could of a stable environment for the family. My disability was so bad I was recommended for disability (Social Security) benefits. So it was six of those ten months of have a waiting game to see if I would be approved or not. I thought only if I get approved than I can focus on my kids and my health. Well ten months is a long time with no to very little income. Four of these ten months my husband was laid off from his job. So we had enough money to pay rent, one utility bill (out of four)and purchase some household items. There was visits to the food pantry, social service agencies, holes in socks, shoes. Once my husband returned to work we were able to catch up on utilities and pay for most of our basic needs. But still if someone out grew something, not to mention the upcoming school year in which books and supplies would needed to be secured. I began to really see that I needed to get back to work. Crazy or not, if I was a loon at least my kids would eat, right? Slowly I began my job search continuously questioning if this was right. Shortly, after a month or less of looking, I secured a job. Nothing extraordinaire, but something versus nothing is...well...something. I was okay with what I found. I began my training schedule. Not three days into this training, did I get a notice from Social Security stating I had been approved. Choice #1

Moving Day

So many things to post, too tired. The month of December appears to be another busy one for our family. We are on the move, my hubby's big plans have finally come into fruition so there will be post of home repair, renovation, new scary neighbor(hood)s, and very frugal living. Missed typing so welcome to our new normal.

Monday Monday

Monday's are an interesting day.  I usually view them with so much hope and anticipation.  There is a list of activities, events, books, and crafts to complete.  But since this is also life there are meals, bills, appointments, errands oh yeah and cleaning.  So there is a zeal and determination that I meet each new Monday with. 

Right around noon on Monday all I can muster up is a no, I can't nap yet, is this the baby boy's poop or the cat's, I don't care go ahead and eat the cake for lunch.  Shortly before I settle deep into piles of laundry, 2:30pm rolls around.  Time to dance. 

This event is met with its own chaos of hair, clothes, water bottles, and oh you expect to eat again-before I leave.  But what does this mama good is the walk.  We live well within walking distance to the dance studio; a 15-20 leisure stroll or the more frequent 10 minute power walk because I couldn't find my keys. 

I appreciate this walk, the sights the sounds.  I love the brightness of the sun shining over downtown shortly before sunset begins.  I appeciate the air the beautiful chill of Autumn inhaling deeply into my lungs.  I enjoy the changes nature is sharing as it prepares for a long winter's sleep.  I work on my connection with the kids taking turns of who will come along and giving them undivided attention. 

I really enjoy the 60 minute of quiet time that I might get while class goes on.  Mom of 8, out of the home worker,  Hubby's side job assistant, kids home full time, married means very little alone quiet time.  Normally I would never say I need or want that time.  I covet this time.  I feel refreshed and awake as I return to the other 9 and all the demands that I wholeheartedly accept. 

You might have to check back with me as our Indian summer turns to blistery frozen winter and we move out of walking distance...but for now it is this simple thing that makes my Monday.

What's Cooking

Cooking Light, has to be one of my all time favorite magazines. I find so many inspirations and recipes to add to our family cookbook. I appreciate the "transitional phase" it gives many items. I don't have to go all vegan or all pastured raised beef, this magazines allows me to pick and choose which also helps my budget.

Here is our attempt at the above recipe. The ingredients:


We used a cheese we have not previously had, it was a nice touch. The recipe also called for fingerling potatoes something we had not had previously, but fortunately we were able to find them at our local store. This is how ours looked at completion.


The kids were frowning a bit while I was making it. But everyone loved loved loved it. I had to snatch Daddy's serving out before it was all gone. Even the little ones devoured their rainbow chard. Good times.

Wordless Wednesday

We decided to walk to the store....not ride






Some were pushed....



Some skipped...


Some were daring....


There were adventures


One even drug something home


We decided to walk to the store not ride,
I am glad we did

Menu

This was supposed to posted yesterday, but alas.....

Everyone at sometime or another begins to look or take a second look at their diet. I do the same. I evaluate how much we are spending, how healthy we are eating, reading the list and checking it twice. I am constantly attempting to judge how much organic/natural foods we purchase. These items are not cheap and with a large family on an almost non existent budget it can become quite a juggling act to include these items in menu planning. I generally believe in the "hype" of an organic mostly vegetable (if not raw) lifestyle. I also know that Jesus stated did not want us to worry undully about tomorrow, and we were to sick the will of the Father first and foremost. Matthew 6:33-34. This allows me to have a fairly balance and open view of eating. I don't beat myself too much if I have to grab that sack of white flour off the shelf instead of my preferred unbromated unbleached flour.

I had noticed, probably due to my mood, that I was not fixing dinners. The kids had become accustomed to grazing. Eight kids eating all day is not a good thing. Of course all this last meeting eating also led to packaged foods, sweets, etc. So I had to check myself. We also have been watching those documentaries. You know Food Inc., Food Matters, Tapped and the like. Of course I walk away going I need to make some changes. I tweaked our menu. I have created a 5 week menu this way I don't need to worry about creating a new menu each week, which sometimes can be a task. Anyway in most families, certain items become favorites and most of us shuffle through several dozen recipes. I decided to cut down on some of our meat consumption. So we are going down to meat two days a week, this probably does not include our homemade pizza nights. I want to make our plates more colorful, making sure we partake of fruits and vegetables at each meal not just grains. Lastly I would like our morning and afternoon meals to composed of mostly raw fruits or vegetables.

Here is what I came up with:
5 Week Menu Plan


I love reading about cooking and attempting new recipes. I absolutely love my Cooking Light magazine. So you'll find the bottom non-colored row is what we are currently doing. I'll think I will use my menu as a jumping off point. I will adjust taking advantage of seasonal items, sales and recipes we want to try.