Wow it’s been so long since I’ve posted. A lot has been going on.
First and foremost, I am EMPLOYED! Yay. After being laid off three separate times by the same company, I am happy to report that I have a brand new job that I really love!
I’m earning more money, but with that comes more working hours, which translates to less time for other things! Haha! But I’m adjusting.
Humbled on a Budget
During our financial rough patch, I was humbled when I realized how difficult it is to eat healthily AND responsibly with less spending.
I’ve had to cut some corners. I think the biggest adjustment was buying more meat from Whole Foods instead of the local farm.
I’m happy that I didn’t have to resort to supermarket factory-farmed meat, but now I can completely understand why so many families are forced to purchase cheap meat because their food budgets are stretched to the max. We are a two-person family and I can’t even imagine how difficult it is for larger families.
How dare I criticize anyone for their food choices, especially if they are trying their best on a limited budget!!!
Scratch Home Cooking is a Challenge
It was easy for me to preach home-cooking from scratch when I was unemployed or working less hours. Heck! I was home for the majority of the day for the past 3-4 years. Of course it was simple for me to find time to bake bread, can tomatoes, make lunches, and cook dinner every day!
Now that I’m away from home 6.5 – 7 hours a day, I realize how difficult it is to manage and balance my time at home. But I’m making adjustments and utilizing shortcuts like the crockpot, meal planning, and make-ahead freezer dinners.
It’s arrogant for me to criticize a working mom choosing canned cream soup or a jar of tomato sauce. Everyone has their own set of restrictions and who am I to judge. It’s another humbling lesson learned.
Farm Meat and Springtime CSA
More good news!
Thursday, I received a meat delivery from Open Meadow Farm – the first one since January, 2013, before I was laid off in March. I am so blessed to have the means again to buy meat from a local farm!
I will never take it for granted again!
Today, after receiving their newsletter, I decided to register for the Spring Vegetable CSA at Farmer Dave’s.
We had a CSA for two summers a few years ago, but this will be a first for the off season. Sure, I’m paying a little more than I’d pay for vegetables at the grocery, but I’ll know exactly where and how my food is grown and it’ll be worth it.
And I won’t take THAT for granted either!
Appreciation for Life’s Blessings
I feel lucky and so BLESSED that both my husband and I have good jobs.
There’s an overwhelming amount of appreciation and gratitude for my life. I’ve been on the other side (unemployment,) and it’s very depressing and degrading.
But there are no regrets, because without emotionally dark experiences, I’d never realize how special the lightness is.