Comfort Food

It's been a difficult week for me -- when you have clinical depression sometimes things that aren't that awful hit you harder than you would like.  I work hard to keep my life structured and secure and for the most part I am able to keep things in check.  This week caught me off guard although I'd been preparing my self for it since November.

Back in November I posted about a rough week, well one of the reasons that week was difficult was becuase it was announced that the company my husband works for was being bought out.  Now, this isn't a terrible thing -- but there was the chance that his job would disappear.  Well, this week that was confirmed.  Happy Birthday to me!  (My birthday is Sunday.)  I know that this isn't a bad thing.  We have lots of notice (his job is still there until April and the company actually told them they could job hunt during work hours) and I'm pretty crazy about saving money, so we have a nest egg.  And my husband will have no trouble finding a job -- he's so smart and good.  (Really!  Go read him!) 

But I'm a little stressed out anyway -- and I have a feeling that a bit of it has to do with my upcoming birthday.  I don't know why that would bother me either -- I love my 30's so much more than any other time in my life.  I'm so happy now and love my jobs  -- which include homeschooling my brilliant, funny daughter.

I'm neurotic.  I know it.  I try to deal with it.  How?  by baking bread, of course!

Yes, I finally decided to give the no knead bread that everyone has been talking about a try.  I have a lovely cast iron LeCruset pot that my mom got for me a couple of years ago and it worked beautifully.  (I've also been eating massive amount of chocolate -- thank goodness V-Day was last week!)

And I've been stitching:

I'm a good way through part 2 of the mystery sampler. 

So, I'm fine -- just crazy. 

Comments

[Jan]

I've been going through a stressful time myself and know how difficult it is to keep things together when there's a lot of uncertainty. I'll be thinking of you, Julie. Hang in there. Things usually work out for the best.

[Flan]

I just tried the no-knead bread this week as well (twice actually, as it was so easy the first time!).

Good luck to your husband on the job search, and keep eating chocolate, it always helps me!

[robiewankenobie]

i'm finding baking very cathartic., as well. thanks for linking to your husband's blog...i'm going to add it to my reading list!

[robiewankenobie]

oh, and where do i find that sampler?! it is divine.

[Terby]

Spring will come soon, and more daylight helps a lot. I know there's more winter yet in your neck of the woods, but the days are getting longer. We're starting to see more sunlight down south, and it's certainly helping me (I have terrible SAD, even in the sun belt). Hang tight. You sound like you have a really healthy outlook!

[--Deb]

Planned for or not that would definitely qualify as stressful! Hang in there....

[Michelle]

Not crazy, just human. You sound so self-aware and strong, and you're doing all the right things to take care of yourself. Don't forget that knitting has meditative and stress-relieving properties, too. Breathe deeply, and enjoy your bread and chocolate! Happy birthday, may your year be full of laughter, love, and craft.

[rebecca]

Happy Birthday! i'm sorry to hear about hubby's job. but it sounds like you've got everything under control (even if it doesn't feel like it). silver linings... it'll show itself soon.
something that i say to my hubby often: knowing that i'm crazy is what helps to keep me sane. :D

[Oiyi]

I have made that bread also. Isn't it delicious? Yours came out beautifully.

[India]

Sorry to read that you suffer from the 'black dog' - it's hit me once or twice, so I know what it's like. Hope you're ok. Looking forward to the podcast,
India

[nicole]

Aaaah kick that black dog where it hurts. I hear you. Baking is an EXCELLENT antidote. NX

[Tracey]

You my dear, are fine, and no crazier than the rest of us. I suffer also from clinical depression now and then. I find it funny that some things that you don't think would bother you do, and vice versa. I am freaking out about our internet being down and not so much about searching for a job. Bread, what a brilliant comfort. I am going to have to try that recipe, although I love the ab workout you get from kneeding bread dough. I am also hunting for a job right now, you should stop on by my blog sometime. It's funny, we have handled our depression in much the same way. Keep your chin up, this too shall pass. Happy Birthday!

[Jeanne]

Hang in there! I can so empathize with you. Take time, breathe, eat chocolate, knit, craft and get through this. Baths also help me :). When I'm in the bath with a good book, all is well with the world for a blissful while.

[Karin]

Your Mystery is going to be absolutely lovely.

[Lina]

The sampler looks gorgeous!

I'm sorry to hear about your husband losing his job.. I hope he finds a new one soon.

[claudia]

Bummer. Change is hard. Best wishes to the hubster on the job search!

[laughingrat]

I mostly lurk here, looking at the nifty pictures and checking out the new needlepoint stuff (I knit, but am enamored of this folk-art style needlepoint you're doing--probably just like I enjoy traditional quilts), so maybe that's why I hadn't heard about your depression before. So you don't really know me or anything, but I just wanted to say that I can empathize with how depression tears stuff up and makes living--much less creating--really difficult. Folks with depression have to take extra special care of ourselves, and it's frustrating because if little things go wrong, it can trigger a real snowball effect of misery.

Anyway, I hope you are feeling better and that you were able to enjoy the comfort food, and of course that stuff on the job front works out for your husband, too.