I'm SO frustrated!!! - Page 2

[Super~Single~Mama]

Originally Posted by RollerCoasterMama

First off: grilled cheese, scrambled eggs, and pancakes are "alternatives" ?!?! Add in organic whole-wheat nuggets and the like, and that's what we've been living on since I started back in school!!! It was just pancake night last night!

Secondly: Major empathy for trying to finish up law school as a single mama! I've just been taking some additional classes and have been knocked on the head with how grateful I should be that when I was in law school I could just hide away with my books until things were done. And that I could stay up until 3:am finishing something because there wouldn't be someone waking up at 5:30 ready to go for the day! I'm only taking a couple of classes but it's on top of working full time and it kind of sucks! A lot! Seriously reconsidering this plan for a variety of reasons, but one of them is that I miss just hanging out with my son! When we were at my mom's this summer, she was playing with him while I took a test, and he was happy for a while, then sent her away "Grandma, I'm going to build dinosaurs. You go work on your computer."

And finally, it's a hard gig finding work after graduation! If you can move, it might be worth checking out some less obvious career options. I've worked for a giganto corporation for the past 6-ish years that hires TONS of lawyers-who-don't-want-to-be-lawyers. And some who just need a job! HINT: look up the main websites for any company that provides you with a research password while you're in school. Usually at the bottom of that page will be a link to "careers". I didn't get in until a couple of years out of school, and the competition is tough, but I did get in. Not a dream job, but mellow and good for someone with a family (no overtime!).

Mind sharing which one? (PM me if thats ok - don't feel obligated!!) And, I can't move too far - I have a 35mile radius to move within, so I can go a little ways but I really don't want to have to petition the court if I don't HAVE to. Especially since while I've been in law school I've made amazing friends and have a really awesome support network here, so leaving would be really hard! (I never thought I'd say that, since this city is not my fave, but I love my friends so much!!)

[RollerCoasterMama]

Originally Posted by thyra

Mind sharing which one? (PM me if thats ok - don't feel obligated!!)

Done. Don't know if it will help, but sometimes a random idea can spark other random ideas that do work!

[Ellien C]

Originally Posted by thyra

I actually have a crock-pot, but using it requires prep the night before, which is sometimes impossible due to homework - any super simple easy recipes anyone?? PLEASE??

Frozen chicken breasts and a jar of salsa. Put them in in the morning and cook on low. Shred the chicken when you get home. Add water to make soup or spoon into tortilla's or taco shells. You can get fancy and add frozen or canned corn. Top with chees if you are inclined. Crock-pot prep does NOT get any easier than that.

Pack of chicken legs (drumsticks) and jarred bbq sauce. Cook on low. Same deal.

[Ellien C]

Originally Posted by Ceinwen

Are there approximate amts. that you use?

I follow the recipe on the oatmeal/can box - 1 cup oatmeal to 4 parts water. 11/2 t salt. I might also add 1 or 2 peaches or a cup of strawberries, and 1/2 cup brown sugar. DH likes it sweet. I do not add milk for a long (4+ hour) cook in the crockpot. BUT i reheat the oatmeal all week in the micro at work with coffee creamer added. Delish.

[Minxie]

Originally Posted by Ceinwen

Everything else aside - this sounds freakin' delish.

Are there approximate amts. that you use?

And thyra, man - do I totally hear you on the sleeplessness, stress, etc.

If my almost three year old does not give up being nocturnal soon, I think I may lose my mind.

I use:
three cups water
1 cup cream or milk
1 cup steel-cut oatmeal
1/2 to 1 cup fruit; dried, fresh or frozen whatever you have
1-2 tsps cinnamon, allspice, or nutmeg whatever you have (I make a bowl of spices that I keep just for this; basically just a combo of these three)

Use whatever spices you like but I find that they are important to the deliciousness. You can add butter if you want to add fat or sugar if you want it sweeter but we usually add those after the fact so that we can customize it. DS likes butter and brown sugar while I just enjoy a bit more milk or cream. I like cooking it with the cream; it tastes better and creamier to me.

For fruits, I usually use dried or fresh peaches, apricots, cut apples, raisins, cranberries and/or dried cherries. I don't use salt; DS's dad's family has high blood pressure issues so we don't use a lot of salt in our house. I want him to eat a diet fairly low in sodium from the beginning rather than having to adjust in his thirties.

This recipe makes enough for the two of us to have breakfast, and still have at least three portions to take for snacks, etc.