I’ve mentioned before that Mr. Gaunt and I have been attending couples counseling (sort of pre-marital) for about 2 months now. I don’t talk about it much (with anyone, not just my blog readers) but we really enjoy going. We usually go once a week for an hour, and the topics range every week. Sometimes we talk about Mr. Gaunt and I, our future plans (children, marriage, etc) sometimes we talk about our families and how we were raised. We often talk (at least at the beginning of each session) about work, he seems to take an interest in Mr. Gaunt and I’s place of employment. I actually really like our therapist, he’s got tough love. He tells us when we are being kind of irrational, he helps us learn to work through our problems, but he also knows when to pat us on the back. Both Mr. Gaunt and I have been through a lot this past year, with our weight loss, job changes, attempting our own business, etc. He thinks we are smart capable people, he says we have more life knowledge and skills than most college graduates (neither Mr. Gaunt or I have yet to go to College.)
Tonight we talked a bit about “needing to grow up” and how we both need to focus on “selling ourselves” and “finding a career path that we can excel in” because if we want to do the family thing, we not only need to make more money, but we ned to be happy. I wouldn’t say I’m unhappy with my job, in fact its better than a lot of retail jobs I have had. I do struggle a bit with authority, with basic corporate rules and plans. I often have ideas that I really can’t put into action because it’s too hard to jump through the hoops and get others on board when so much already needs to get done. I also work with a wide array of people, ranging from the 18-year-old right of highschool still living with their parents, to the college graduate in transition to their “dream job” and with some older retired professionals just trying to wind down. It’s hard to find your place among so many characters. I wont lie, I may be kind of vain, but I like to excel, be really good at something, shine. Sometimes in a big corporation its hard to stand out.
Mr. Gaunt struggles with the same things, although he is usually more content with the day-to-day. I personally feel that Mr. Gaunt is AMAZINGLY smart and talented, and could do so much more with his skills. He just struggles with finding the next stepping stone.
For me the ultimate goal is to be able to work from home, or at least part-time from home. When we have children, I want to be there for them, I want to go on field trips, make them healthy meals, watch them grow up. I also want to make our family money, doing something I love. My mom worked from home most of my childhood (when she wasnt in school) and I remember always feeling so lucky that she was usually home when we needed her. She owned her own business and was very successful being creative. I want that. I have tried a few smaller scale things with my “artistic talent” I had an Etsy Shop (click on the SOLD ITEMS to view what I made) but didn’t feel like I had really found my niche. I love Food Photography, and would love to do more with it, but I need a better camera, and I need to take a class or too. I also need to put Photoshop on my lap top (where I do most of my blogging, maybe I will do this tonight). Cooking has also become a big passion of mine, and Id love to continue on the Food blogging route.
Which brings me to my next thing. I’ve been thinking a lot about my blog recently, its focus, its appearance, its name. And I really feel like it might be time for an UPGRADE! I want my blog to have more of a customized theme, more gadgets, possible ad space for sale (classy not tacky or obnoxious) and maybe a name that says more “Healthy Lifestyle” and less “Weight Loss”. I’ve been doing a bit of research, and some money will need to be invested, but I think its worth it! I plan on fully researching it all before I make any changes, and of course all my archives will be there to see as well. Id like it to be more user-friendly and more professional. Mr. Gaunt and I have also talked about taking a creative writing class so I can work on my writing skills. A photography class is also MUCH needed when I upgrade my camera (all photography classes require you at least have a camera that can change lenses). So that’s what I’ve been thinking about. Id love any advice from anyone who has done a blog upgrade, or a life upgrade!
Until then we will keep putting along with dreams swirling in our heads.
Oh and because this IS a foodie blog, I actually made something from my list! My first salad dressing!
I followed the following recipe, only I didn’t have WHITE balsamic vinegar, only brown, which is why mine isnt as vibrant green. This was put on a salad paired with Mr. Gaunt’s Chili (plus a bag of frozen broccoli florets thrown in per my request)
Avocado & Cilantro Dressing
1 large ripe avocado
3/4 bunch cilantro (about 1 cup loosely packed)
juice of 1 lime
juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, grated or minced
1-2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
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1. Scoop out flesh of avocado and place in blender or food processor.
2. Add cilantro, citrus juices, garlic, vinegars and olive oil.
3. Blend on high until emulsified. You may want to add more olive oil and vinegar/citrus juices to thin out. This dressing is quite thick, but if you add too much liquid, it does take away from the delicate flavour of the avocado.
The Family Chapters 