The Home Ec Lady Goes Home http://www.myfrugallife.com/blog_grahamcl.html The many adventures of a home ec teacher as she weans her family off of two-incomes so she can go home. en-us Food Problems Fri, 04 Feb 2011 01:06:37 GMT http://www.myfrugallife.com/post27299668_grahamcl.html <p> I think my daughter and I will be trying an elimination diet this spring.&nbsp; I have never been able to single out the food(s) that cause her stomach upsets, and I&#39;m having various symptoms that don&#39;t add up.&nbsp; Perhaps if we try the elimination diet, we can work out what doesn&#39;t agree with us.&nbsp; Besides, I&#39;m hoping it won&#39;t be so hard for her to give things up for awhile if she&#39;s not doing it alone.&nbsp; I know that would help me!</p> Rambles Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:56:06 GMT http://www.myfrugallife.com/post66925435_grahamcl.html <p> I originally started this blog because I was ready to quit my full time job as a teacher and stay home with my family.&nbsp; I did quit at the end of the school year, and I loved being at home.&nbsp; My husband, however, was extremely tense and anxious over our financial situation, even though I had gotten a part-time job taking care of an elderly lady for a few hours, two days a week.</p> <p> It turns out that financially we weren&#39;t ready for me to quit, but since my husband and I both avoid conflict, I was not really completely aware of our situation.&nbsp; My husband handles our money for the most part, simply because he is better at it and sleeps better at night knowing the bills are all covered and we have a plan in place.&nbsp; I was happy to let him handle it, but when he had reservations about me quitting this year I thought he was just being overly cautious.&nbsp; Was I wrong!&nbsp; I should have listened, asked more questions, and gotten a better understanding of where we were.&nbsp; The big picture.</p> <p> So, when it became clear that I would have to find something full time again, I panicked.&nbsp; It was serious.&nbsp; We were going to have to sell off our furniture, move in with my parents (so they panicked), and even then we would have problems.&nbsp; About the time I started applying for anything and everything, the school system that I had left contacted me.&nbsp; They had miscalculated the number of teachers they would need for the year and were short one in my department!&nbsp; God was watching over me and my family.</p> <p> This year I&#39;m teaching high school courses instead of middle school, and I wish I had just stayed put.&nbsp; I&#39;ve learned a lot about myself and what I can and cannot do, but most of all I&#39;ve learned to listen to my husband, to ask more questions before charging ahead, and to understand that things happen for a reason.&nbsp; The last several months have given me a chance to work on contentment, and hopefully by the end of this school year my husband and I both can enjoy me being at home!</p> And here we go...... Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:14:03 GMT http://www.myfrugallife.com/post42915515_grahamcl.html <p>Well, it looks like we may be working with less income sooner than we expected.&nbsp; Yesterday I was told that my current teaching position will be split between the middle school and the high school, and that I will be teaching a high school course that I don't feel prepared to teach.&nbsp; Not that I couldn't teach it, but I have very little experience, knowledge, or skill in this particular branch of my content area, and it's not something you can fluff through and hope the kids don't notice.&nbsp; The course?&nbsp; Apparel design, of all things!&nbsp; I am no seamstress, and I haven't even looked at a pattern in years.</p> <p>Not only that, but they would want me at the high school the first half of the day, and it starts earlier than the middle school.&nbsp; The kids and I would have to get up even earlier?&nbsp; Fabulous.&nbsp; I'm already dragging myself out of bed to go to work when I'd rather be home.&nbsp; How will I ever get out the door earlier????</p> <p>I know this sounds whiny when so many are without work and want it, and I apologize if it comes across that way.&nbsp; My problem is that I want to be home full time, but my husband wants me to work full time, and I figure if I have to work somewhere, at least I know this job, I like the people I work with, and I'm used to it's ups and downs (I thought).&nbsp; Now I'm looking at staying at a job where I spend a good portion of my day doing something I really don't like.</p> <p>I asked if they would consider letting me just stay here a half day, and that's all.&nbsp; No high school.&nbsp; Yes, for half my current pay.&nbsp; So far, no word on that, but it doesn't seem like they're very excited about that.&nbsp; I guess we'll see!</p> <p>I could manage that, and then I'd be home to do at least some of the things that aren't being done now.&nbsp; Maybe I'd be able to keep decent meals on the table and a semblence of cleanliness going.</p> <p>My husband is not looking forward to cutting back more financially, but he knows that I'm already very close to a breaking point.&nbsp; If the half time thing doesn't work out, then I may have to look for something else.&nbsp; I'm praying for God to give us guidance as this sorts out.</p>